HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


C(]M;EEGiTIOML 


D 


FoKMEHLY  West  Simsbuiiy. 

Organized  1750. 


^ 


f 'OMPILED    BY 

Rev.    FREDERICK    ALVORD 

AND 

Mir^s    IDA     R.    ORTDDb:V. 


BX7I50 

.C23C7 

/\4 


HARTFORD,  CONN. 
OF  Th2  Case,  Lockwood  &  Brainard  Company. 

1886. 


B^7(5"0 


JAN  16  1951 

HISTORICAL  SKETC%oj,o»L  vi^^ 


Ci 


ONGREGATIONAL  ChURCH  AND  PARISH 


CANTON   CENTER,  CONN., 

Formerly  West   Simsbury. 

Organized  1730. 


COMPILED    BY 


Rev.    KRKDERICK    AIvVORD 


JMiss    IDA    R.    GRIDIvKY. 


HARTFORD,  CONN.: 

Press  of  The  Case,  Lockwood  &  Bralnard  Co. 

1886. 


Resohed,  That  we  hereby  tender  to  Newton  Case,  Esq.,  of  Hartford,  our 
sincere  thanks  for  his  generous  offer  to  assume  the  expense  of  publishing 
the  history  of  our  church. 

By  Vote  op  the  Church. 

Resolved,  That  we  hereby  express  our  heartfelt  thanks  to  Rev.  Frederick 
Alvord  and  Miss  Ida  R.  Gridley,  for  their  labors  in  preparing  for  publica- 
tion a  history  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Canton  Center. 

By  Vote  of  the  Church. 


INDEX. 


Rev.  Mr.  Burt's  Historical  Sermon,  - 

Statement  of  Pastorates, 

Biographical  Sketch  of  Rev.  Evander  Morrison, 
Rev.  Gideon  Mills,  - 
Rev.  Seth  Sage, 
Rev.  Jeremiah  Hallock, 
Rev.  Jairus  Burt, 
Rev.  Warren  C.  Fiske, 
Rev.  Charles  N.  Lyman, 
Rev.  David  B.  Hubbard, 

Sunday  school,  -  -  .  . 

Beacons,  -      '      - 

Ministers,  .  .  .  .  . 

Lawyers,  ---.-- 

Physicians,        ..... 

Business  men,  ..... 

Young  ladies,    .  -  .  -  . 

Soldiers,  ..... 

Closing  statement,        .... 

Poem,  -     *     "     •     - 


5 
23 
28 
29 
31 
82 
40 
52 
53 
57 
60 
61 
64 
73 
76 
79 
90 
90 
92 
94 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


The  historical  sermon  of  Rev.  Jairus  Burt,  preached  in 
1851,  gives  the  only  connected  history  of  the  Congregational 
Church  in  Canton  Center,  up  to  tliat  time.  As  thirty-five 
years  have  since  elapsed,  it  seemed  desirable  for  convenience 
of  reference  to  bring  the  history  down  to  the  present  time ; 
this  consideration,  added  to  tlie  fact  that  Mr.  Burt's  valuable 
sermon  existing  only  in  manuscript,  was  in  imminent  danger 
of  perishing,  has  been  the  motive  in  the  preparation  of  this 
pamphlet. 

The  compilers  have  studied  the  utmost  brevity,  giving  only 
leading  facts,  in  order  the  more  easily  to  bring  it  within  the 
reach  of  all  the  living,  both  resident  in  the  town,  and  widely 
scattered  throughout  the  country,  who  are  interested  in  the 
history  of  this  ancient  church. 


STEWARDSHIP. 

A    SERMON    PREACHED    BY 

Rev.  JAIRUS   BURT, 

In   Canton   Center,   Conn.,    December    21,    1851 ;  the   Twenty- 
Fifth  Anniversary  of  His  Settlement. 


Text,  Luke  xii,  43:  "  Who  then  is  that  faithful  and  wise  steward,  whom 
his  Lord  will  make  ruler  over  his  household,  to  give  them  their  portion  of 
meat  in  due  season  ?  " 

A  STEWARD  is  one  to  whom  is  committed  the  manage- 
ment of  the  affairs  of  another.  One  who  is  employed 
to  conduct  the  domestic  affairs  of  a  family,  especially  tliose 
which  relate  to  the  provisions  of  a  house,  the  meat  and  drink, 
is  called  the  steward  of  the  home.  So  in  the  text  the  steward 
is  represented  as  the  ruler  of  the  house,  to  give  them  their 
meat  in  due  season.  And  he  is  the  faithful  and  wise  steward, 
who  manages  in  his  office  to  have  everything  serviceahle,  and 
adapted  to  meet  the  recurring  wants  of  the  household.  In 
Scripture,  and  in  theological  science,  the  ministers  of  Christ, 
whose  office  it  is  to  dispense  the  provisions  of  the  gospel  to 
dying  men,  to  preach  its  doctrines,  to  inculcate  its  duties,  to 
administer  its  ordinances  is  the  steward  of  God  in  things 
spiritual  to  His  great  household  of  mankind.  So  we  find 
Paul  saying  to  the  Corinthians,  "Let  a  man  so  account  of  us, 
as  of  the  ministers  of  Christ  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of 
God."  And  averring,  "Moreover  it  is  required  in  stewards 
that  a  man  he  found  faithful."  It  results  from  the  nature  of 
stewardship^  that  he  who  is  put  into  it  is  to  regard  the  will  and 
instruction  of  his  Lord  as  his  law  in  the  dispensation  com- 


rnitted  to  him  ;  and  of  course,  that  he  can  never  wiseh'  or 
safely  substitute  for  these  the  wislies  or  tlie  will  of  those 
whom  he  is  emploj-ed  to  serve.  And  this  principle  goes 
with  all  the  force  of  its  application  to  the  office  and  work  of 
the  Christian  ministry.  And  the  test  of  wnsdom  and  iidelity 
in  this  sacred  stewardship  lies  in  the  question  of  conformity 
or  non-conformity  to  the  revealed  will  and  instructions  of 
God.  So  it  is  a  very  small  thing  to  be  judged  of  man's  judg- 
ment, in  the  comparison,  when  He  that  judgeth  us  in  the 
Lord.  So  Paul  did  say,  in  his  address  to  the  Thessalonians, 
"  Our  exhortation  was  not  of  deceit,  nor  of  uncleanness,  nor 
in  guile ;  but  as  we  were  allowed  of  God  to  be  put  in  trust 
with  the  gospel,  even  so  we  speak  ;  not  as  pleasing  men,  but 
God,  which  trieth  our  heart."  So  he  exhorts  Timothy, 
"  Study  to  show  thyself  :»pproved  unto  God,  a  workman  that 
needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of 
truth."  Such  is  the  office  of  the  Christian  ministry,  the 
stewardship  of  God  in  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel.  But 
the  office  of  the  Christian  minister,  as  that  of  a  steward,  has 
of  necessity  a  relation  of  interest  and  of  responsibility  to 
those  who  are  respected  in  the  service  of  the  office.  If  the 
steward  is  to  furnish  for  the  household  of  his  Lord,  meat  in 
due  season,  it  is  certainly  to  be  understood  tiiat  the  household, 
in  its  members,  is  to  be  present  and  ready  in  due  season,  also, 
to  partake  of  the  provisions.  Of  what  use  to  have  the  pro- 
vision in  readiness,  if  there  be  not  a  readiness  to  partake  of 
it  ?  So  the  counterpart  of  the  minister  of  Christ,  ready  with 
his  message  to  his  fellowmen,  is  the  presence  of  the  people  to 
hear  and  receive  his  message.  The  steward  is  to  prepare  the 
meat,  the  people  are  to  eat  it,  and  relish  it,  and  grow  thereby, 
provided  it  be  taken  from  the  storehouse  of  the  Great  Master, 
and  duly  served  according  to  His  will.  The  greatness  of  the 
sacred  stewardship  is  seen  that  it  is  under  Him  who  is  the 
Maker  and  Lord  of  all,  that  it  has  respect  to  the  wants  of  a 
famishing  and  perishing  world,  that  it  brings  life  and  immor- 
tality to  light,  and  that,  in  its  results,  an  innumerable  com- 
l)any  that  no  nuin  can  number,  redeemed  from  among  men, 


and  clothed  in  wliite,  shall  be  kings  and  priests  to  God  for- 
ever and  ever. 

Though  in  the  lapsing  of  time,  by  a  necessary  law,  one 
class  of  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God  passes  away  after 
another,  the  stewardship  remains  to  be  filled  by  others  ;  and 
is  to  be  permanent  until  the  closing  up  of  the  dispensation  of 
mercy.  The  fathers  die  and  the  prophets  do  not  live  forever. 
So  it  has  been  in  all  the  periods  since  the  first  intimation  of  a 
coming  Redeemer  in  the  hints  and  symbolical  representations 
of  the  patriarchal  days  ;  and  so  it  will  be  till  the  end  cometli 
when  Christ  shall  deliver  up  the  kingdom  to  God,  even  the 
Father,  and  the  Son  also  Himself  be  subject  to  Him  that 
putteth  all  things  under  Him,  that  God  may  be  all  in  all. 
This  is  true  in  its  general  application,  and  it  is  true  in  applica- 
tion to  particular  places  and  parishes  where  the  gospel  is  dis- 
pensed. It  is  true  in  the  history  of  this  church  and  parish. 
No  one  steward  of  God  has  been  allowed  here  to  stand  and 
dispense  from  the  first  to  his  fellowmen  the  promises  of  gospel 
grace  and  merc3^  They  could  not  continue  by  reason  of 
death,  yet  the  great  and  gracious  Lord  has  continued  the 
stewardship  here.  As  one  passed  away  another  received  it. 
Thus  it  has  been  continued  from  its  first  establishment  till  we 
find  ourselves  standing  where  we  do  to-day,  by  the  sepulchers 
of  our  fathers,  in  the  house  of  our  God,  with  the  gospel 
privileges  untaken  away. 

Here  we  stand  to  review  the  past,  to  mark  the  present,  to 
anticipate  the  future.  And  how  befitting  it  is  that  from  the 
past  and  present  we  gather  up  useful  lessons  for  the  future. 

Twenty-five  years  ago  yesterday,  the  twentieth  day  of 
December,  1826,  I  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
in  this  place,  and  put  into  the  gospel  stewardship  for  the  dis- 
pensation of  the  provisions  of  life  to  my  fellowmen  in  gen- 
eral, and  especially  to  the  church  and  people  of  this  com- 
munity. One  quarter  of  a  century  from  that  date  has  passed 
away  ;  which,  within  a  fraction,  covers  one-fourth  of  the  entire 
history  of  this  church  and  parish.  Standing  on  this  point 
and  throwing  my  eye  back  over  this  period,  my  first  impres- 
sion is  that  of  change.     But  the  period  has  been  marked  off 


by  snch  slow  and  regular  strokes  of  time,  that  tlie  real  change 
is  not  at  first  apparent,  only  in  confused  view.  We  must 
travel  back  over  the  years,  examine  the  records,  and  jot  down 
the  incidents  and  events  that  make  np  their  history  to  get 
anything  like  a  just  comprehension  of  the  changes  that  have 
taken  place  and  the  things  that  have  been  affected  in  the  time. 
To  prepare  the  way  for  this  I  have  thought  it  would  be 
appropriate,  and  not  unacceptable  to  the  people,  in  the  first 
place,  to  go  back  to  the  beginning,  and  sketch  the  history  of 
this  church  and  parish  from  that  point.  In  doing  this  I  shall 
avail  myself  of  the  helps  of  records  and  other  writings  that 
are  within  my  reach,  premising  that  in  a  discourse  of  this 
nature  minutia  of  detail  will  not  be  expected,  as  it  would  not 
accord  to  the  time  and  the  design  of  the  present  exercise. 

What  is  now  the  town  of  Canton,  as  is  M^ell  known,  was 
originally  a  constituent  part  of  the  town  of  Simsbury,  and 
its  early  history,  both  civil  and  ecclesiastical,  is  of  course 
identified  with  the  history  of  that  town. 

The  settlement  here  was  commenced,  according  to  the  best 
information  I  have,  in  the  year  1737.  And  within  a  very 
few  years  after  this  date  from  twenty  to  thirty  families  had 
i-emoved  to  this  section  of  the  town  from  the  other  portion, 
or  what  is  now  Simsbury.  So  that  the  beginning  of  the 
settlement  here  dates  back  only  one  hundred  and  fourteen 
years.  Four  years  after  this,  in  1741,  or  about  that  time,  the 
settlers  here  began  to  hold  religious  meetings  on  the  Sabbath, 
separate  from  the  old  parish,  in  private  houses.  It  is  a  deeply 
interesting  fact  in  the  history  of  emigration,  especially  in  the 
days  of  our  fathers,  that  religious  institutions  and  privileges 
were  so  earnestly  cared  for ;  that  like  the  patriarchs  of  old, 
where  they  pitched  their  tents,  there  they  built  their  altars 
and  called  on  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

Two  preachers.  Rev.  Adonijah  Bidwell  and  Rev,  Timothy 
Pitkin,  were  employed  to  labor  with  the  people,  each  a  short 
time,  from  the  year  1747  to  1749,  or  1750.  Of  the  labors  of 
these  men  little  is  known,  but  the  fact  of  their  employment 
is  here  stated.  Tlie  place  was  constituted  a  distinct  parish  by 
act  of  Assembl}'  at  the  May  session,  1750,  by  the  name  of 


9 

West  Simsbnry,  and  a  town  by  tlie  name  of  Canton  in  1806. 
The  cluircli,  tliongli  I  find  no  record  of  the  precise  date,  was 
organized,  as  is  snpposcd,  about  the  same  time. 

The  first  ordained  minister,  settled  as  pastor  of  the  cliurch, 
was  Kev.  Evandcr  Morrison,  installed  July  11,  1750,  and  dis- 
missed for  some  cause  eleven  months  thereafter.  So  that  the 
period  of  his  ministry  here  was  only  about  eleven  months  as 
pastor  of  the  church.  He  was  from  Scotland  and  had  been 
ordained  as  an  evangelist  in  his  native  country. 

The  second  pastor  of  the  church  was  Rev.  Gideon  Mills. 
He  had  been  previously  settled  in  the  old  parish.  According 
to  the  records  of  the  society  there  was  a  vote  passed  Decem- 
ber 31,  1759,  to  settle  or  re-install  Mr.  Mills.  But  it  does 
not  appear  that  his  installment  took  place  till  the  year  1761. 
Under  date  of  Januar}^  6,  1761,  I  find  a  vote  to  the  following 
effect;  that  the  installment  of  Mr,  Mills  shall  be  on  the  third 
Wednesday  of  February  next.  So  that  in  the  absence  ot 
subsequent  records  to  the  contrary,  the  conclusion  is,  that  his 
installation  here  was  on  that  day.  His  successor  here  was 
Kev.  Setli  Sage,  ordained  according  to  a  vote  of  the  society 
fixing  the  time  for  that  service,  the  second  Wednesday  of 
July,  1774:,  and  dismissed  four  years  after,  1778.  The  fourth 
pastor  of  this  church  was  Kev.  Jeremiah  Hallock.  He 
was  ordained  October  26,  1785,  and  continued  the  faithful 
and  indefatigable  shepherd  of  the  flock  till  his  death,  June 
23, 1826,  a  period  of  forty  years  and  eight  months.  Previous 
to  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Hallock,  in  the  year  1783,  Mr. 
Edmund  Mills,  afterwards  settled  in  Sutton,  Mass.,  was  em- 
ployed to  labor  among  the  people  in  the  things  of  the  Gospel. 
He  commenced  his  labors  in  June  and  continued  about  four 
months.  I  follow  here  the  record  made  by  Mr.  Hallock,  The 
labors  of  Mr.  Mills  were  attended  by  the  signal  manifestation 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  sinners 
to  God,  and  in  quickening  the  members  of  the  church  to  in- 
creased spiritual  life  and  activity.  As  many  as  seventy  or 
eiffhtv  were  reckoned  amons;  the  converts  to  God  durinu;  the 
time  of   refreshing  from   the  presence   of  the   Lord.      The 

2 


10 

quickening  influence  of  tins  revival  of  religion  was  apparent 
for  nearly  two  years.  So  far  as  is  known  this  was  the  first 
season  of  God's  spiritual  manifestation  in  a  revival  of  religion 
in  this  place.  The  eifect  of  this  season  of  mercy  on  this 
church  in  its  spiritual  elevation  and  advancement,  and  in  its 
progressive  sentiment  with  respect  to  the  true  nature  and 
character  of  a  Christian  church,  is  known  by  its  fruits.  Up 
to  the  date  of  this  revival  the  church  had  practiced  what  was 
called  the  Half-  Way.  (The  Half-Way  covenant  was  a  scheme 
adopted  as  early  as  1657  to  1662,  by  the  Congregational 
churches  of  New  England  to  extend  the  privilege  of  church 
membership  and  infant  baptism  beyond  the  pale  of  actual 
communicants  at  the  Lord's  table.  Unregenerate  persons 
acknowledged  the  covenant  and  had  their  children  baptized.) 
But  after  this  awakening  began  it  was  unanimously  voted  out 
by  tlie  church.  After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Sage,  the  cliurcli 
was  in  a  very  broken  condition  ;  so  that  no  correct  liistory  or 
record  of  its  doings  could  be  found,  not  even  a  catalogue  of 
the  names  of  its  members.  But  after  this  season  of  revival, 
Zion's  interest  wore  a  different  aspect,  and  it  became  neces- 
sarj^  to  reorganize,  or-  form  themselves  anew  as  a  Christian 
body.  Tliis  was  done  February  26,  1785,  by  the  adoption  of 
a  covenant,  confessions  of  faith,  and  articles  of  agreement. 
The  confessions  of  faith  and  covenant  are  very  simihir  to 
those  now  used  by  Congregational  churches  in  Connecticut 
generally.  In  the  articles  of  agreement  the  church  adopted 
as  Scriptural  the  following  principles: 

1.  The  Scriptures  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

2.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  the  only  Head  of  the  Christian 
vChurch. 

3.  The  right  of  every  particular  church  to  hear  and  deter- 
mine all  matters  of  discipline  that  respect  its  own  members ; 
and  that  no  council  has  right  to  determine  for  them  or  do 
anything  binding  without  their  consent. 

4.  The  propriety  of  counsel  and  advice  in  cases  of 
.difficulty. 

5.  That  a  visible  Christi^-n  church  consists  of  visible 
Christians. 


11 

f).  That  the  infants  of  members  of  the  church  are  proper 
subjects  of  baptism :  i.  e.,  the  infants  of  such  members  as  are 
in  complete  or  full  communion. 

T.  That  it  cannot  be  right  for  any  church  to  bind  them- 
selves by  any  set  of  articles  of  human  composition,  so  that 
they  may  not  add  to  them  or  take  from  them,  whenever  they 
see  sufficient  gronnds  from  Scripture. 

The  Cliristians  of  that  day,  we  see,  were  deeply  imbued 
with  the  congregational  principle.  "  The  word  of  Go.d  only," 
was  the  constitutional  law. 

Mr.  Hallock,  the  fourth  pastor  of  the  church,  we  have  said 
was  ordained  October  26,  1T85,  thirty-live  years  after  the 
organization  of  the  church,  and  two  years  after  the  revival 
under  the  labors  of  Rev.  Edmund  Mills.  During  the  first 
thirteen  years  of  Mr.  Ilallock's  ministry,  as  he  himself  records, 
spiritual  things  gradually  declined,  till  the  church  was  re- 
duced to  a  very  low  and  gloomy  state.  At  the  beginning  of 
1788,  the  nymber  of  members  in  the  church  was  ninety. 
From  September  2,  1788,  to  1795,  seventeen  were  added. 
From  July  5,  1795,  to  July  2,  1797,  seven  were  added.  The 
years  1798  and  1799  were  years  of  God's  great  mercy  to  this 
people,  as  well  as  to  very  many  other  churches  in  New 
England.  It  has  been  called,  not  unfitly,  "  the  memorable 
revival  of  1798."  Between  seventy  and  eighty  made  a  public 
profession  of  religion,  who  were  considered  the  fruit  of  this 
revival.  From  March  3,  1799,  to  May  5,  18U5,  ninety  were 
added  to  the  church.  This  was  the  second  season  of  revival 
in  the  church.  The  year  1805  was  another  season  of  God's 
great  mere}-,  and  about  thirty  were  added  to  the  church  as 
the  fruit  of  this  harvest ;  making  the  third  period  of  God's 
great  grace.  The  fourth  season  of  refreshing  from  the  Hoi}'' 
Spirit  was  in  1812  and  1813,  which  added  twenty-eight  to  the 
church.  Another  in  1816,  adding  to  the  church  seventy-one, 
and  another  in  1821,  which  added  to  the  church  fifty-six. 
Six  in  all  previous  to  my  coming  among  you,  with  the  same 
mission  of  peace  and  salvation  through  the  grace  of  the 
gospel.  The  nnmber  of  members  in  the  church  in  1785,  the 
year  of    Mr.    Ilallock's    ordination,   and   those   who  joined 


12 

afterward  down  to  liis  death  in  1826,  is  four  hundred  and 
fiftv-six.  Deducting  eighty  for  the  number  in  the  church  at 
the  date  of  his  settlement,  there  will  be  left  three  hundred 
and  seventy-six,  as  the  number  added  to  the  church  during 
the  period  of  Mr.  Hallock's  ministry  of  forty  and  two-third 
years,  a  fraction  over  a  yearly  average  of  fifteen. 

The  first  forty-five  years,  from  1737  to  1782,  may  be  con- 
sidered as  the  period  of  settlement  and  organization.  The 
first  house  for  public  worship  was  built  in  1763. 

To  show  the  interest  and  action  in  this  enterprise,  we  recnr 
to  a  vote  of  the  society  passed  October  25,  1762:  ^'- Voted,  by 
said  inhabitants  of  the  parish,  that  it  is  necessary  to  proceed 
to  build  a  meeting-house  for  public  worship."  Present  at  the 
meeting,  thirty-eight ;  all  in  the  afiirmative.  Seventeen  voters 
not  present.  How  long  this  first  meeting-house  was  in  pro- 
cess of  erection  and  completion  we  know  not.  This  only  the 
records  show.  November,  1763,  voted  to  color  the  meeting- 
house; and  in  June,  1764,  voted  that  the  committee  lay  a 
tight  floor  in  the  meeting-house,  and  get  a  cushion  for  the 
desk. 

In  that  house  the  people  were  accustomed  to  worship 
till  the  erection  of  the  present  church  edifice  in  1814,  which 
was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  one  living  and  true 
God,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  January  5,  1815.  That 
the  good  people  of  that  day  were  an  order-loving  people  is 
clear,  from  the  fact  that  they  were  careful  in  making  provis- 
ions for  the  "seating"  of  the  meeting-house,  and  in  designat- 
ing individuals  by  vote  "  to  tune  the  psalm."  (May  8,  1769, 
voted  that  Esquire  Amasa  Mills  tune  the  psalm.) 

From  1782  to  1826,  covering  the  entire  period  of  Mr.  Hal- 
lock's  ministry,  we  may  contemplate  as  the  period  of  growth 
and  development-  It  was  signalized,  as  we  have  seen,  by  a 
repetition  of  those  seasons  of  i:eligious  revival,  which  have 
contributed  so  richly  to  the  increase  and  diffusion  of  a  spirit- 
ual religion,  and  to  the  growth  of  active  piety,  both  in  prin- 
ciple and  in  practice.  During  this  period  commenced  that 
awakening  of  interest  in  the  work  of  modern  missions,  which 
has  enstamped  on  the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century  the 


13 

glory  of  a  missionary  age.  This,  too,  is  tlie  period  in  wliich 
sprung  up  the  institution  of  Sabbath-sduxjls;  and  along 
which  have  increased  the  improvements  and  the  moral  and 
religious  influence  of  these  lights  in  the  churches.  The  Sab- 
bath-school in  this  place  was  instituted  April  30,  1819,  by  a 
vote  of  the  church,  constituting  themselves  a  Sabbath- School 
Society^  and  inviting  the  ecclesiastical  society  to  join  with 
them.  (Mr.  Hallock  was  chosen  stated  moderator,  William 
Stowe  clerk,  and  Lancel  Foote  superintendent.) 

In  sketching  the  history  of  this  church  and  parish,  it  may 
not  be  out  of  place  to  notice  the  fact,  that  in  1783  a  number 
of  persons  in  the  south  part  of  the  parish  seceded  from  the 
Congregational  society,  and  formed  a  church  under  the  name 
of  Separatists.  Two  years  after,  in  1785,  a  schism  took  place 
among  the  Separatists,  which  resulted  in  the  secession  of 
about  one-half  of  the  congregation,  who  embraced  the  tenets 
of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  were  the  beginning  of  the 
present  Baptist  church  in  that  section  of  the  town.  In  the 
north  part  of  the  parish,  also,  a  house  for  religious  worship 
was  erected  some  sixty-five  or  seventy  years  ago  by  an  inde- 
pendent association,  or  society ;  but  the  society  was  never 
recognized  as  a  legally  constituted  body ;  and  although  they 
had  ])reaching  for  a  time,  they  did  not  succeed.  The  house, 
gone  to  decay,  was  a  few  years  ago  taken  down.  (See  History 
of  Simsbury,  Granby,  and  Canton,  by  Noali  A.  Phelps,  18-15.) 

We  have  now  taken  a  bird's-eye  view  of  this  church  and 
parish  from  their  beginning  to  the  year  1826,  the  year  in 
which  dates  the  close  of  Mr.  Ilallock's  labors,  and  the  begin- 
ning of  his  successor's.  My  first  coming  to  this  y)lace  by  in- 
vitation of  your  society's  committee  was  on  Saturdaj^  Sep- 
tember 16,  1826,  three  months  after  you  had  laid  in  the  gi'ave 
the  remains  of  my  loved  and  venerated  predecessor.  The 
sod  which  covered  all  of  him  that  was  mortal  was  still  fresh 
above  him,  the  last  message  from  heaven  through  his  lips  had 
scarcely  died  from  the  ear,  and  the  supposition  that  the  sun 
of  your  prosperity  might  have  set  with  the  setting  of  that 
light,  was  to  be  subjected  to  the  test  of  a  practical  experiment. 
It  was  in  these  circumstances,  in  the  providence  of  God,  I 


14 

came  among  yon,  "  nnknowing  and  unknown,"  and  com- 
menced my  labors  the  following  day,  September  17,  1826; 
and  was  ordained  December  20, 1826.  (See  Autobiographical 
Sketch  of  Jairus  Burt.) 

At  this  point  commenced  our  relation  as  pastor  and  church, 
as  minister  and  people.  And  the  subsequent  events  in  our 
history  are  to  be  contemplated  under  this  relation  ;  all  bearing 
on  our  present  and  future  well-being.  On  the  one  part,  the 
gospel  was  to  be  preached,  on  the  other,  to  be  heard ;  on  both 
that  gospel  was  to  be  the  reliance  of  all  our  Christian  hope 
and  anticipations. 

From  that  day  to  this  we  have  had  regular  worship  in  this 
liouse  on  the  Sabbath,  and  with  few  exceptions,  the  word  of 
life  has  been  dispensed  by  the  living  minister.  (It  is  w^orthy 
of  note  and  of  due  expression  of  gratitude  to  God,  that  what- 
ever may  have  been  the  diversity  of  view,  or  difference  of 
feeling,  at  any  time,  respecting  ways  and  means,  among  those 
who  have  led  our  worship  in  the  songs  of  Zion,  there  has  been 
no  rnpture  in  all  the  time  of  our  services,  such  as  to  deprive 
us  of  the  services  of  the  choir.)  Stated  and  occasional  lec- 
tures have  been  attended;  the  missionary'  and  Sabbath-school 
concerts;  the  weekly  prayer-meetings  of  the  church,  with 
occasional  meetings  for  prayer  and  the  preaching  of  the  word 
in  the  several  districts  of  the  parish,  have  been  held  through 
all  the  3'ears  of  our  connection,  and  have  been  the  means  of 
accomplishing,  measurably,  the  object  contemplated.  The 
fruits  of  these  labors,  and  the  results  of  these  privileges,  we 
are  permitted  now  to  see  only,  through  a  glass  darkly.  Yet, 
we  anticipate  their  future  exhibition  in  clearness  and  fullness 
in  that  "great  day  for  which  all  other  days  were  made." 

The  number  of  members  in  this  church  at  the  date  of  my 
ordination,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  was  two  hundred. 
The  first  year  of  my  labors  among  you,  the  year  1827,  was 
one  of  the  great  power  of  God.  Early  in  that  year  there 
were  distinct  tokens  of  the  coming  spiritual  visitations  of 
God;  which  were  soon  followed  by  those  manifestations  of 
interest,  of  concern,  of  personal  inquiry,  of  deep  distress  of 
mind  in  view  of  sin  and  the  wrath  of  God,  and  of  escape  to 


the  Lamb  of  God  tliat  talceth  away  tlie  sin  of  tlie  world,  and 
snbseqnent  peace  and  lK)])e  and  joy,  wliich  impressed  on  all 
that  God  was  here  of  a  truth.  The  crowded  meetiner,  the 
anxious  countenance,  the  eai-nest  prayer,  the  smile  of  hope,  the 
listening!;  stillness  while  the  messages  of  God  wei'e  delivered  to 
the  people,  bore  an  undoubting  testimony  to  the  presence  and 
power  of  God.  During  that  year  one  hundred  and  fifteen 
were  added  to  the  church,  all  but  five  on  profession  of  their 
faith  in  Christ. 

Of  this  number  eighty-eight  were  received  at  one  time,  Sep- 
tember 2,  1827.  There  was  another  season  of  religious  inter- 
est, less  general  in  1831  ;  some  droppings  of  saving  inercy  in 
1834,  and  again  in  1837 ;  so  also  in  1841,  1847,  and  1850. 

The  whole  number  added  to  the  church  since  my  ordination 
is  three  hundred  and  eleven,  of  whom  two  hundred  and 
thirty-eight  were  received  on  profession  of  their  taith,  and 
seventy-three  on  the  recommendation  of  sister  churches. 
Hence  the  whole  number  in  the  church  at  the  commencement 
of  iny  ministry  here  and  those  added  since  is  five  hundred 
and  eleven.  Of  this  number  ninety  are  marked  as  dead, 
i.  e.,  died  while  members  of  this  church.  Of  those  who  died 
after  their  removal  from  us  we  have  not  the  means  of  know- 
ing, though  we  are  sure  the  number  is  not  small.  Of  the 
whole  number  removed  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  are 
marked  as  having  been  removed  by  recommendation  to  the 
fellowship  and  privileges  of  other  churches.  Of  these  one 
hundred  and  ninety-five  removed  by  letter,  one  hundred  and 
twenty-seven  were  of  those  who  had  become  members  since 
the  date  of  my  ordination.  Nine  have  been  excluded  from 
the  church  in  the  processes  of  Christian  discipline  according 
to  the  law  of  Christ's  house. 

In  the  time  nnder  review  there  have  been  three  hundred 
and  forty-one  administrations  of  the  ordinance  of  baptism. 
Of  these  eighty-three  were  on  profession  of  their  faith  in 
Christ,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty-six  were  infants.  Fifteen 
individuals  have  held  the  office  of  deacon  in  this  church : 

Joseph  Mills,  Ephraim  Willcox,  Oliver  Humphrey,  Abra- 
ham Case,  Moses    Case,  Thomas   Bidwell,  Benjamin    Mills, 


16 

Theopliilns  Humphrey,  Solomon  Everest,  Alvin  Hnmplirey, 
Jesse  Case,  Sr.,  Jesse  Case,  Jr.,  Uriah  Hosford,  Elisha  Sug- 
den,  Laiicel  Fuote. 

As  tlie  minister  of  Christ  is  authorized  hy  the  civil  powers 
of  this  State  I  have  joined  in  marriage  two  hundred  and  six- 
teen couples;  not  all  residents  of  this  parish, but  most  of  them 
of  this  town  and  vicinity,  while  a  few  couples  were  from 
neighboring-  States. 

On  examining  the  register  of  mortality  I  iind  the  entry  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty-one  deaths,  making  a  yearly  average 
of  about  14. 

Till  1833  it  was  my  practice  to  record  all  the  deaths  occur- 
ring within  the  limits  of  the  town  so  far  as  known.  Since 
that  date  I  have  recorded  those  only  who  died  within  the 
limits  of  the  parish  with  others  whose  funeral  I  was  called  to 
attend  within  the  vicinity  of  the  parish. 

I  have  been  accustomed  to  note  on  the  i-egister  with  proper 
signification  the  death  of  individuals,  who  had  gone  out 
from  us  and  died  abroad,  in  those  cases  where  they  had  not 
ceased  to  consider  this  place  as  their  home,  or  whose  remains 
were  brought  here  for  interment.  Tlie  highest  recorded 
number  of  deaths  in  any  one  year  was  that  of  1848,  rising  to 
twenty-seven,  including  one  who  had  gone  out  from  us  and 
died  abroad.  The  lowest  yearly  record  is  eight.  That  M^as 
the  number  in  1835  and  1836;  and  it  is  the  number  for  the 
present  year.  The  year  1831  was  a  year  of  mortality,  the 
number  reaching  twenty-six. 

The  institution  of  the  Sabbath-school,  which,  as  we  have 
seen,  commenced  its  operations  here  in  the  year  1819,  has 
been  sustained  b}^  the  church  and  people  with  very  commend- 
able interest  and  eflicient  purpose,  on  the  whole,  down  to  this 
time.  And  if  all  has  not  been  accomplished  that  its  friends 
and  supporters  have  desired,  enough  of  salutary  fruit  has 
been  obvious  to  induce  us  to  thank  God  and  take  courage. 
It  has  been  a  cheering  auxiliary  to  the  ministry ;  and  the 
garden  from  wliich  have  been  gathered  richest  fruits  in  the 
successive  times  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
The  gathering  here  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  of  fathers  and 


17 

mothers,  of  sons  and  daughters,  in  their  youth  and  in  their 
childliood,  to  study  the  Scriptures,  has  been  among  the 
brightest  spots  in  our  sunlight  of  hope.  Thanks  be  to  God 
and  under  Him  to  all  those  who  have  given  to  this  sacred 
object  their  hearty  interest  and  their  personal  cooperation. 
Ma}'^  the  interest  never  be  less ;  the  eiforts  never  flag,  so  long 
as  the  sun  and  the  moon  shall  endure. 

The  cause  of  Christian  philanthropy  and  benevolence  to 
some  extent  has  had  a  place  in  our  theory  and  in  our  practi- 
cal regard.  We  have  been  enabled  and  disposed  to  do  some- 
thing for  the  spread  of  evangelical  truth  among  the  destitute 
of  our  own,  and  the  benighted  of  other  lands;  to  cheer  and 
raise  the  desponding  heart  of  the  poor  and  needy ;  to  inspire 
hope  in  minds  darkened  and  crushed  under  the  iron  power  of 
ecclesiastical  and  civil  despotism  ;  thus  contributing  to  shed 
light  into  the  dark  places  of  the  earth,  that  are  "  full  of  the  habi- 
tations of  cruelty."  The  aggregate  of  our  contributions  to 
charitable  and  benevolent  purposes  in  the  last  twenty-five 
years  is  $6,5:^1.69,  making  a  yearly  average  of  $260.56,  exclu- 
sive of  those  private  and  social  charities  which  had  respect 
more  particularly  to  the  needy  among  ourselves,  many  of 
which  must  await  the  disclosures  of  eternity.  I  refer  to 
these  things  not  to  impress  you  that  we  have  cause  for  boast- 
ing, but  because  they  are  matters  of  history  in  which  we  have 
been  particularly  concerned. 

In  the  review  of  the  past  I  have  named  two  periods;  the 
first,  from  the  beginning  of  the  settlement  to  1782,  I  have 
called  the  period  of  settlement  and  organization ;  the  second, 
from  1782  to  1826,  covering,  the  period  of  Mr.  Hallock's 
ministry,  I  have  called  tlie  period  of  growth  and  developvient. 
And  what  shall  we  call  the  third,  covered  by  the  last  twenty- 
five  years  ?  This  question  must  be  answered  by  its  character, 
its  purposes,  and  its  doings.  As  it  respects  ourselves  within  this 
period,  a  new  Congregational  society  and  church  have  been 
organized  in  the  village  of  Collinsville  on  our  southern  border 
to  which  we  have  contributed  in  Christian  fraternity  our  full 
quota  of  members.     (Separate  public  worship  was  commenced 


18 

in  Collinsville  on  the  Sabbath  in  1831.  The  church  was 
or2;anized  in  1832.  The  present  house  of  worship  was  built 
in  1S36.  This  house  was  burned  January,  185T,  immediately 
after  the  death  of  Mr.  Burt.  The  present  edilice  was  erected 
soon  after. — Compilers.)  Besides,  our  brethren  of  the  M.  E. 
church  have,  within  the  time,  established  public  worship  more 
regularly  on  our  northern  border.  Two  churches,  also,  have 
been  built  on  the  west  of  us  within  four  miles  in  Kew  Hart- 
ford, the  one  Congregational,  the  other  Episcopal. 

But  when  we  ask  for  the  characteristic  of  the  last  twenty- 
five  years,  we  must  let  out  our  view  more  extensively  into  its 
connection  with  the  world  around  us.  Whatever  the  period 
has  been,  it  has  not  been  one  of  repose  and  the  spoils  of  a 
final  victory.  The  missionarj^  and  the  Sabbath-school  enter- 
prise, begun  before,  have  come  on  from  infancy  to  the  strength 
of  a  ripe  manhood.  The  revelations  of  Freemasonry  and  the 
unmasking  of  its  extra-judicial  and  bloody  oaths  were  at  the 
beginning  of  this  period,  and  though  hunted  as  a  beast  of  prey 
it  still  nestles  under  the  arm  of  the  civil  powers,  and  to  some 
extent  even  yet  finds  aid  and  succor  within  the  Christian 
Church.  Though  seemingly  dead  once  in  the  light  of  its  own 
revelation,  there  are  now  increasing  signs  of  its  resurrection 
with  a  great  family  of  secret  associations  that  have  grown  out 
of  its  temporarj^  annihilation.  This,  too,  has  been  the  period 
of  the  great  temperance  movement  in  its  struggle  with  appe- 
tite and  interest ;  advancing  now,  and  now  apparently  at  a 
stand  or  falling  back  ;  and  then  with  newinvigoration  of  prin- 
ciple and  of  hope,  and  yearning  over  tlie  hapless  victims  of 
the  cup,  she  has  towered  up  into  the  light  and  thrown  out  her 
line  of  life  to  the  statesman  and  to  the  Christian.  She  has 
emboldened  her  advocates  and  aroused  her  foes,  and  the  end  is 
not  yet. 

It  has  been  the  period,  too,  of  waking  thought,  of  earnest 
inquiry,  and  of  cumulating  knowledge  on  the  science  and  the 
practical  working  of  civil  and  Christian  freedom.  Whenever, 
in  this  respect,  w^as  there  a  period  in  the  history  of  the  world, 
equal  to  the  last  iioenty-five  years?  The  great  argument, 
simple  and  unanswerable,  has  come  into  the  light  and  claimed  to 


19 

be  seen.     As  God  made  man   in  His  own  image,  he  is  an 
intellectual  beinf^  under  moral  responsibilities;  to   develop 
which  intellect  and  to  meet  which  responsibility  according  to 
the  will  and  requirements  of  God,  civil  and  religious  freedom 
is  indispensable.     This  condition   is  our  birthright  and  our 
boast.     But  what  title  have  we  from  that  High  Court  which 
alone  can  gave  title  here,  that  others  have  not  ?     This  is  the 
principle  and  this   the  argument    underlying  the  power   of 
that  mighty  movement  which  shall  yet  have  the  mastery  of 
absolutism  and  despotic   power  whether   civil,  spiritual,  or 
ecclesiastical.     This  has  become  the  question  of  our  country. 
It  is  the  question  of  Europe,  the  question  of  the  world.     And 
along  with  this  has  come  into  the  light  of  an  energetic  dis- 
cussion the  great  principle  of  international  peace,  the  abroga- 
tion of  war,  and  the  brotherhood  of  the  human  family.     The 
world  as  it  was,  yea,  as  it  is,  and  such  topics  as  these  coming 
up  for  thought  and  discussion   as  they  have  within  the  last 
quarter  century,   topics    full    of  moral  principle    and  power, 
placing  their  lever  under  the  despotisms  and  heaven-daring 
oppressions  of  the  world,   what  name  shall   we  give  to  the 
period  ?     It  has  been  said  that  the  last  half  century  was  a 
hero  among  the  half  centuries  of  the  world ;  that  it  towers 
above  them  like  Saul,  "  who  from  his  shoulders  and  upward 
was  higher  than  any  of  the  people."     True,  indeed.     What 
then  shall  we  say  of  the  last  quarter  century  ?     Yea,  that  it  is 
the   hero  of  the  half.     It  is  the   period  marked  by  earnest 
mental  appHcation,  inquiry,  excitement,  discussion,  collision, 
correction,  and  instruction  in   righteousness;  the  period  of 
begun  reforms  both  in  church  and  state.     And  though,  as  in 
all  beginnings  of  such  things  there  may  have  been  much  to 
be  deprecated,  the  world  has  advanced  in  the  understanding 
of  great  principles  and  human  rights  and  obligations,  as  in  no 
similar  period  of  her  history.     Whatever  else  has  failed  of 
establishment,  the  great  right  of  individual  thought,  of  private 
judgment,  of  personal  liberty  and  protection  by  law,  has  got 
a  hold  on  the  mind's  conviction,  which  it  never  had  before. 
It  is  coming  to  be  believed,  that  it  is  the  power  of  God  through 
the  working  of  human  thought  and  will,  which  will  overturn 


20 

and  wipe  away  onr  chattel  slavery  with  its  kindred  wrongs, 
overturn  the  thrones  of  despots  in  the  Old  World,  and  prepare 
the  wa}'  for  the  reign  of  universal  peace  and  righteousness 
throughout  the  earth.  Such  has  been  the  period  of  our  connec- 
tion, as  pastor  and  church,  as  minister  and  people.  And  to  say 
that  always  and  in  all  things  we  have  thought  and  felt  alike 
would  be  equivalent  to  the  assumption  that  we  have  no  mind, 
or  that  we  were  all  the  slaves  of  one  mind.  I  believe  that  we 
have  all  come  to  be  settled  on  this  principle :  the  right  and 
obligation  of  individual  thought  and  inquiry  and  opinion  on 
all  subjects  of  human  interest  and  duty ;  and  that  our  cor- 
rectness or  incorrectness  is  to  be  tested  by  the  principles  and 
moral  light  of  the  AYord  of  God.  Nor  need  we  anticipate 
the  reign  of  anarchy  from  this  liberty ;  but  only  from  the 
attempt  to  obstruct  or  to  hinder  it. 

From  the  day  of  my  ordination  it  has  been  my  settled  pur- 
pose to  be  with  you  as  a  man  and  as  a  minister  of  Christ, 
and  be  guided  and  directed  by  the  principles  of  His  Gospel, 
"  calling  no  man  master."  I  have  never  for  a  moment  felt  at 
liberty  to  yield  my  convictions  of  truth  and  of  duty  to  secure 
harmony  even  loith  my  most  cherished  frieiuls  and  able  supporters. 
I  have  not,  I  think,  diftered  from  any  of  my  people  on  any 
subject,  or  on  any  moral  or  religious  project,  without  pain  ; 
and  I  would  fain  believe  that  so  it  has  been  with  you.  I 
assume  it  as  a  duty  that  I  owe  to  God  and  to  jou  to  have  my 
own  judgment  and  be  guided  by  my  own  convictions.  And 
I  assume  it  to  be  equally  your  duty  to  have  your  own  judg- 
ment and  be  guided  by  your  own  convictions.  So  far  as  we 
may  help  to  enlighten  and  correct  one  another,  by  mutual 
inquiry  and  discussion,  it  is  obviouslj'  our  right  and  our  duty 
to  do  it  within  the  limits  of  civility  and  Christian  courtesy. 
All  in  all,  I  feel  that  I  have  much  to  thank  you  for,  in  view 
of  your  respected  kindnesses,  your  liberality,  your  Christian 
candor  and  forbearance,  and  all  your  help  and  encourage- 
ment, which  have  cheered  me  in  the  hours  of  despondency, 
and  nerved  me  in  the  field  of  toil  and  labor  for  your  spiritual 
and  everlasting  good.  That  I  have  not  erred,  it  would  be 
arrogance  to  claim.     Forgive  me  all  my  wrong  in  my  goings 


21 

out  and  comings  in  among  yon  as  the  shepherd  of  the  flock. 
A.nd  be  assured,  it  would  be  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  my 
heart  to  see  you  all  walking  in  the  pleasant  and  peaceful 
paths  of  wisdom.  What  shall  l)e  written  to  comj^lete  our 
probationary  history  and  fill  uj)  the  measure  of  our  acconnt, 
God  alone  knoweth.  This  we  know,  that  time  is  short,  "\Ve 
should  double  our  diligence  in  the  works  given  us  to  do. 
What  changes,  what  overtnrnings,  what  advances  have 
marked  the  period  of  our  connection  !  They  have  been  such 
as  in  many  respects,  perhaps  in  most,  are  incident  to  man- 
kind in  common  in  this  lower  state.  Disappointments,  sick- 
ness and  death  are  written  for  all.  On  this  sea  of  life  we  rise 
and  fall  like  the  frail  vessel  on  the  swelling  and  retreating 
wave  of  an  ocean  of  billows.  We  may  attempt  resistance, 
and  buffet  the  billows  as  they  rise  and  scowl  on  us  with  angry 
surge.  But  they  will  not  cease  their  rolling  till  He  speaks, 
whom  the  waters  obey.  Such  shall  be  all  human  history, 
when  it  shall  be  written.  That  which  has  been  is  that  which 
shall  be.  Yet  there  ai-e  to  be  accumulations  of  incidents  in 
the  progress  of  time  as  we  advance  toward  the  final  catastro- 
phe. The  last  twenty-five  years  have  passed  quickly  away. 
But  what  a  multiplication  of  stirring  incidents  and  achieve- 
ments on  any  twenty-five  years  that  preceded  them  !  All 
this  indicates  the  advance  toward  the  end.  The  past  admon- 
ishes us.  The  future  hastens.  W^here  are  now  the  men  who 
one  hundred  and  fourteen  yenvs  ago  first  planted  a  settlement 
in  this  valley  ?  Where  are  the  men  who  laid  the  foundation 
of  this  Christian  church,  and  this  ecclesiastical  society? 
Gone,  gone  to  the  resting  place  of  man.  Yet  once  they 
were,  and  were  as  ti'ul}'  here  as  we  are  now.  We  read  the 
record  of  their  acts  and  doings.  But  they,  in  their  low  beds 
of  dust,  have  commingled  with  the  ground  out  of  which  man 
was  taken ;  and  their  spirits  are  in  the  state  of  retribution. 
But  to  come  nearer,  could  the  three  hundred  and  fifty-one 
whom  we  have  buried  within  this  quarter  century  rise  up 
and  stand  before  us  and  speak  what  they  know,  and  testify 
what  they  have  seen,  and  heard,  and  felt,  would  they  not 
assure  us  — 


22 

"  'Tis  not  the  whole  of  life  to  live, 
Nor  all  of  death  to  die  "  ? 

My  beloved  clinrcli  and  people,  whatsoever  our  hand  find- 
eth  to  do,  we  should  do  with  our  might.  There  is  no  work 
in  the  ejrave.  Let  us  in  looking  back  inquire  earnestly  for 
the  improvement  of  the  past.  Here  is  our  sanctuary,  here 
are  our  Sabbaths;  here  is  issued  the  proclamation  of  mercy 
to  dying  men ;  here  the  gate  of  Heaven  is  opened,  and  the 
wanderer  pointed  to  a  home.  O  yes,  there  is  a  price  in  our 
hands  to  get  wisdom.  But  is  there  a  heart  to  it?  "Faith 
cometh  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by  the  word  of  God."  Hear, 
Am?',  that  your  souls  may  live.  Come  from  Sabbath  to  Sab- 
bath to  this  house  of  worship,  yourselves  and  your  little  ones. 
Find  here  a  place  and  a  privilege,  not  occasionally  merely, 
but  regularly,  early,  with  ever}'  Sabbath's  blessed  light. 
Make  it  a  matter  of  principle,  of  conscience,  and  of  hope. 
Who  of  you  all  is  there  who  has  not  concerns  in  the  things  of 
the  gospel  of  life  and  immortality  through  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ? 

"We  cast  our  eye  forward  into  the  future,  "all  to  us 
unknown,"  and  implore  the  guiding  light  of  faith  over  all  the 
way  of  our  pilgrimage  that  remains,  in  this  rejoicing,  that 
"  God  ruleth  over  all  and  doeth  all  things  w^ell."  Yes,  we 
may  rejoice  that  He  presides  over  the  changes  of  time,  that  in 
the  thickening  scene  of  events,  which  marks  our  age,  as  one 
thrown  forward  toward  the  great  consummation,  the  God  of 
order  reigns,  that  He  will  reign  till  the  confusion  ceases,  till 
His  enemies  shall  be  subdued  under  Him,  and  His  rightful 
dominion  established  and  acknowledged  from  sea  to  sea,  and 
"from  the  river  to  the  ends  of  the  earth."  Yea,  till  the 
Angel  of  Revelation,  standing  on  the  sea  and  on  the  land, 
shall  lift  his  hand  and  swear  that  time  shall  be  no  longer. 


23 


STATEMENT  OF  PASTORATES. 

The  foregoing  sermon  contains  an  accurate  and  succinct 
history  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Canton,  up  to  the 
time  of  its  delivery,  Dec.  21,  1851. 

Mr.  Burt  continued  the  beloved  and  useful  pastor  of  the 
church  until  his  death,  Thursday,  Jan.  15, 1857.  His  funeral 
was  appointed  on  the  following  Monday,  but  on  account  of  a 
severe  snow  storm  which  began  on  Sabbath  evening,  and  con- 
tinned  with  little  abatement  for  several  days ;  it  was  post- 
poned until  the  next  Tliursday,  one  week  after  his  death  ;  and 
even  on  that  day  the  northwest  winds  blew  with  such  fury  that 
the  roads  were  filled  with  the  drifting  snow,  rendering  it  im- 
possible for  the  people  from  the  hills  to  be  present.  The 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Charles  B.  McLean  of  Collins- 
ville,  who  for  thirteen  years  had  been  his  near  ministerial 
neighbor  and  devoted  friend.  The  text  was  1  Tim.  iv,  8  : 
"  The  life  that  now  is  and  that  which  is  to  come." 

The  sermon  was  published.  It  is  an  affectionate  and  just 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  good  man.  In  speaking  of  some 
of  his  more  prominent  characteristics,  Mr.  McLean  says : 
"  One  of  them  was  a  strono-  and  earnest  love  of  rio'ht.  He 
loved  it  for  itself;  for  its  own  sake,  and  because  he  saw  and 
felt  its  excellence  and  its  sacredness.  He  loved  it  because  he 
felt  that  God  loves  it  and  makes  it  tlie  principle  to  guide  his 
own  conduct.  He  felt  that  questions  of  duty  must  be  settled 
in  his  own  mind,  and  that  he  himself  was  responsible  to  God 
for  the  decision  that  he  made ;  and  while  he  was  ready  to 
admit  light  and  evidence  from  any  source,  he  would  not  suf- 
fer any  human  authority  to  come  between  his  conscience  and 
his  God.  Growing  out  of  this  was  an  honesty  of  soul. 
There  was  no  disguise,  no  concealment  in  him.  His  open 
countenance  was  an  index  of  his  mind  and  heart. 

''  Another  prominent  feature  of  his  character,  was  a  large 
humanity.  Not  a  mere  sentiment,  but  a  love  for  man  that 
became  a  steady  principle  of  his  life.  His  humanity  was 
eminently  Christian.     He  entered    with    all    his    heart  into 


24 

every  measure  of  reform  and  every  movement  that  would 
lessen  the  evils  under  which  man  groans  and  suffers. 

"Another  characteristic  was  his  faith  in  God.  He  confided 
in  the  wisdom  and  goodness  that  always  preside  in  the  divine 
administration. 

"  This  was  a  favorite  topic  in  his  discourses.  He  was  always 
hopeful.  It  was  a  principle  with  him  that  a  Christian  ought 
never  to  be  discouraged.  In  the  darkest  hours  his  faith  did 
not  fail  him  :  for  he  felt  that  God  was  guiding  and  control- 
line:  all  events  to  his  own  hio-h  ends. 

"  His  drying,  triumphant  words  to  a  brother  in  the  church, 
standing  by  his  bedside  were  :  '  Brother,  I  have  no  fears.' " 

The  following  tribute  to  Mr.  Burt's  character  was  published 
at  the  time  of  his  death  in  several  papers  and  entered  upon 
the  records  of  the  Society: 

"  In  his  public  ministrations,  Mr.  Burt  was  peculiarly 
original  and  practical,  often  rising  to  passages  of  sublime  and 
impassioned  eloquence.  The  Sabbath  preceding  his  death, 
he  preached  with  great  vigor  and  vivacity  in  the  morning  on 
the  words  "  Who  can  stand  before  his  cold  ? "  and  in  the 
afternoon  "  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him,"  a  fitting  close 
for  the  labors  of  a  life.  Who  that  ever  attended  his  ministry 
can  fail  to  cherish  the  recollection  of  the  devout  and  eloquent 
simplicity  with  which  he  was  accustomed  to  address  the 
throne  of  grace,  portraying  with  vivid  minuteness  the  subject 
matter  for  which  he  was  supplicating!  Mr.  Burt  descended 
from  a  long  line  of  Puritan  ancestry,  and  through  life  venera- 
ted the  Puritan  character  and  practiced  the  Puritan  virtues. 

"  Endowed  by  Nature  with  qualities  calculated  to  command 
influence,  he  undeviatingly  exerted  that  influence  not  only 
among  his  own  people,  but  throughout  a  large  circle  of 
acquaintances  in  advancing  the  cause  of  his  Divine  JMaster, 
and  in  inducing  an  inflexible  adherence  to  the  right.  No 
consideration  of  either  public  or  private  expediency  could  in- 
duce him  to  deviate  from  his  conscientious  convictions.  At 
one  period  of  his  ministry,  after  critical  examination  and 
deliberate,  prayerful  consideration,  he  assumed  a  position  on 
a  great  moral  cpiestion  of  absorbing  interest  far  in  advance  of 


25 

a  majority  of  his  people,  or  even  of  a  majority  of  his  brethren 
in  the  ministry.  Daring  the  trials  incident  to  his  position, 
his  peculiar  traits  of  character  shone  with  a  brilliancy  and 
lustre  which  won  the  admiration  of  some  who  imagined  him 
in  error.  Calm,  cool,  and  deliberate,  he  maintained  his  posi- 
tion with  an  irresistible  firmness  of  purpose,  exhibiting  a 
decision  of  character  rarely  equaled,  and  while  he  regretted 
with  keen  sensibility  the  necessity  of  wounding  the  feelings 
of  friends,  no  inducements,  entreaties,  or  persuasions,  could 
induce  him  to  swerv^e  from  his  conscientious  convictions  of 
duty.  'Duties  belong  to  man,  events  to  God,' appeared  to 
be  his  motto.  With  a  liberal  and  coniiding  people,  his 
inflexible,  conscientious  adherence  to  duty  could  not  and  did 
not  mar  either  their  confidence  or  his  usefulness.  He 
assiduously  labored  on  both  for  their  temporal  and  eternal 
welfare,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  ultimately  seeing  almost 
his  entire  people  standing  side  by  side  with  him  in  the  great 
moral  effort  of  wliicli  he  had  been  the  pioneer. 

"  He  went  down  to  his  grave  loved  and  revered  by  his  people 
for  his  faithfulness ;  venerated  for  his  devoted  piety,  and 
honored  for  his  inflexible  integrity.  He  fell  in  the  full  vigor 
of  his  ripened  intellect,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness. 
Few  clergymen  have  fallen  more  lamented  by  the  people  of 
their  charge.  Few  people  have  had  greater  cause  for  lamen- 
tation. Long  will  his  memory  be  gratefully  cherished  by 
that  people,  and  by  a  large  circle  of  devoted  friends  and 
•  acquaintances." 

Resolutions  of  Hartford  North  iVssociation  on  the  deatli  of 
Rev.  J  aims  Burt  of  Canton  : 

Resolved,  That  this  body  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  of  the  deatli  of 
their  brotlier,  Rev.  Jairus  Burt,  and  morn  for  hini  as  a  faithful  minister 
of  the  gospel,  greatl)'  endeared  to  his  own  flock  by  his  labors  of  love,  his 
self-sacrificini^  spirit,  his  diligent  ministrations,  his  earnest  and  able 
defense  of  the  truth,  and  his  blameless  example;  and  to  his  brethren  in 
the  ministry,  by  his  uniform  courtesy  of  manner,  his  unaffected  sincerity 
and  cordial  co  operation  in  every  good  word  and  work.  In  him,  the 
church  has  lost  a  wise  counselor  and  eflicient  laborer,  and  this  body  an 
active  and  judicious  member. 

Resoloed,  That  whilst  deeply  mindful  of  our  great  loss,  we  desire  hum- 
4 


26 

bly  to  give  llianks  to  God  for  the  benefits  He  lias  conferred  on  our 
churches,  through  the  labors  of  His  servant,  and  upon  ourselves  through 
our  intercourse  and  communion  with  him. 

Resolmd,  That  we  present  to  the  widow  of  our  deceased  brother,  our 
sympathy  in  her  great  sorrow,  and  express  our  hope  that  she  may  be 
strengthened  in  spirit  and  comforted  with  the  consolation  of  God. 

Samuel  H.  Allen,  Moderator. 

Samuel  J.  Andrews,  Scribe. 

Two  sermons  of  Mr.  Burt's,  inspired  by  the  agitation  of 
tlie  slavery  question  then  beginning  to  arise  in  the  land,  and 
showing  the  depth  of  his  convictions  on  the  subject,  were 
jjublished. 

The  first,  "  The  law  of  Christian  rebuke  —  a  plea  for  slave- 
holders," was  preached  at  JMiddletown,  Conn.,  before  the  anti- 
slavery  convention  of  ministers  and  other  Christians,  Oct.  18, 
1843.  Text,  Lev,  xix,  17,  "  Thou  shalt  in  any  wise  rebnke 
thy  neighbor  and  not  suffer  sin  upon  him." 

The  second,  "  Moral  responsibility  of  citizenship,"  was 
preached  in  his  own  pulpit,  the  day  before  the  quadrennial 
meeting  for  the  choice  of  electors  of  President  and  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States,  Nov,  3,  1814.  Text,  Eom. 
xiii,  1,  "  The  powers  that  be  are  ordained  of  God,"  and  Rom. 
xiii,  4,  "  He  is  the  minister  of  God  to  thee  for  good." 

In  the  June  following  Mr.  Burt's  death,  tlie  church  and 
society  extended  a  call  to  Rev.  Frederick  Alvord,  then  a 
member  of  the  Senior  Class  in  the  East  Windsor  Theological 
Seminary,  to  become  their  pastor,  but  he  declined  the  call  on 
the  ground  that  he  was  not  then  ready  to  settle. 

Feb.  2, 1858,  Rev,  Warren  C.  Fiske  was  installed  pastor  and 
dismissed  July  1, 1861.  During  his  ministry,  thirty -five  were 
received  to  the  church  on  confession. 

After  Mr.  Fiske's  dismission,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  the 
Rev.  John  Dudley  for  sixteen  Sabbaths,  and  subsequently  by 
a  Rev.  Mr.  Dutton. 

Oct.  29,  1862,  Rev.  Charles  N.  Lyman,  a  recent  graduate 
of  the  Yale  Divinity  School,  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
church.  Prof  George  P.  Fisher  of  Yale  College  preached 
the  sermon. 


27 

In  1864,  Mr.  Lyman,  liaving  received  an  appointment  as 
Chaplain  in  tlie  army,  was  granted  a  fnrlongli  for  one  year. 

For  about  two  months  of  this  time,  the  pulpit  was  sup|)lied 
by  Rev.  F.  Alvord,  who  had  been  called  to  the  pastorate  in 
1857. 

Mr.  Lyman  was  dismissed,  at  his  own  request,  Sept.  21, 
1868. 

During  his  ministry  there  were  seventy-six  additions  to  the 
church  on  confession,  and  many  by  letter.  In  a  season  of 
religious  interest,  in  1866,  he  was  assisted  by  Rev,  Mr,  Potter, 
the  evangelist. 

Mr.  Lyman  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  May  14,  1835. 
When  a  boy,  his  father  removed  to  Manchester,  Conn.,  where 
the  son  united  with  the  First  Congregational  Church,  in  1S52, 
then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Frederick  T.  Perkins. 

He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1859,  studied  theology 
at  New  Haven,  and  after  leaving  Canton,  he  removed  west 
and  became  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Dunlap, 
Iowa,  Dec.  16,  1868,  remaining  till  Jan.  1,  1871. 

He  then  became  acting  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church 
at  Onowa,  Iowa,  where  he  is  still  doing  efficient  work. 

In  1869,  Rev.  Austin  Gardner  became  acting  pastor  and 
closed  his  labors  Jan.  1,  1873.  After  leaving  Canton,  he  was 
acting  pastor  several  years  at  West  Suffield,  and  then  became 
pastor  at  Buckingham,  Conn.,  where  he  still  remains  useful 
in  his  work. 

While  in  Canton,  through  his  efforts,  the  church  debt  was 
nearly  paid. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Gardner  left,  the  church  voted  to  recall  Mr, 
Lyman,  but  he  declined. 

In  1871,  the  Methodist  Church  at  North  Canton,  which  for 
several  years  had  held  meetings  in  the  school-house,  completed 
and  occupied  its  house  of  worship.  At  this  time  sevei'al 
families,  who  had  worshiped  at  the  Center,  withdrew  and 
connected  themselves  permanently  with  the  Methodists. 
Thus  again  the  old  parish  was  narrowed  down  on  the  nortli, 
as  it  formerly  had  been  on  the  south  and  southeast. 

In  1873,  the  property  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs, 


28 

Azubah  Sliepard  came  into  the  possession  of  tlie  society,  the 
gift  by  will  of  Mr.  Titus  Case,  to  be  used  as  a  parsonage  fo 
long  as  public  worship  should  be  maintained  at  or  near  the 
site  of  the  present  meeting-house.  Otherwise  the  will  pro- 
vided that  it  should  go  to  the  Connecticut  Missionarj'  Society. 
This  contingent  interest  was,  however,  purchased  by  the 
Ecclesiastical  Society.  In  1874,  upon  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Linda  Hosford,  widow  of  Dea.  Uriah  Hosford,  the  house 
which  for  more  than  seventy-five  years  had  been  the  minis- 
ter's home,  by  her  will,  fell  to  the  societ3\ 

In  1876,  the  Case  parsonage  was  sold  and  the  proceeds  put 
into  the  new  house,  completed  in  1877,  and  uow  held  and 
occupied  as  a  parsonage. 

In  1874,  extensive  repairs  were  made  upon  the  churcli 
edifice.  The  society  pledged  $1,800,  and  Mr.  J.  Howard 
Foote  generously  agreed  to  pay  the  balance  and  was  appointed 
superintendent  of  the  work.  At  this  time  also,  the  bell  was 
recast  and  hot-air  furnaces  put  into  the  church.  The  house 
was  rededicated  Nov.  19,  1874.  The  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  David  B.  Hubbard,  pastor  elect.  The  dedicatory 
services  took  place  in  the  moi'ning,  and  in  the  afternoon  Mr. 
Hubbard  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  church.  He  was  dis- 
missed Feb.  1,  1885.  During  his  ministry  there  were  two 
seasons  of  general  religious  interest,  one  in  1874,  when 
twenty-seven  were  added  by  confession,  the  other  in  1870, 
when  seventeen  were  added.  During  his  ministry  of  eleven 
years,  ninety-two  were  added,  sixty-seven  on  confession,  and 
twent^'-five  by  letter. 

Rev.  Evander  Mokeison. 

In  the  records  of  the  society  we  find  the  receipt  given  by 
Mr.  Morrison  at  the  close  of  his  eleven  months'  pastorate,  dis- 
charging the  society  from  all  further  pecuniary  obligations. 
The  document  is  so  curious,  and  doubtless  so  characteristic, 
that  it  seems  worthy  of  preservation  as  a  picture  of  "  y*  olden 
time."     We  give  it  verbatim  et  literatim  et  punctuatim : 

"West  Simsbury  June  the  22<'ay  ad  1751  then  rec'^  of  mr 
thomas  harbor  amos  Case  and  Esekiel  hum])hry  a  siaity  Com"'® 


29 

for  the  sosiety  two  Innulred  and  seventy  six  pounds  fifteen 
sliillin^s  money  or  secured  to  nie  to  my  full  Satisfaction  from 
them  in  which  I  y^  Sd  mr  avender  morison  do  aquit  and  dis- 
charge y^  Sd  soiety  in  west  simsbury  in  which  I  was  In  staled 
in  the  work  of  the  ministry  on  the  11  of  July  last  in  the  year 
1750  in  which  I  y''  Sd  mr  evander  morison  do  aquit  and  dis- 
charge y^  sosiety  from  y''  settelment  that  was  voted  me  which 
Avas  to  buld  me  a  house  and  I  also  disscharge  the  sosiety  from 
my  sallery  whicli  was  voted  me  from  y^  sosiaty  and  I  y^  Sd 
mr  morrison  do  aquit  and  discharge  y''  Sd  sosiety  from  y^ 
wood  which  was  voted  me  which  was  thirty  Cords  per  year 
and  I  y*"  Sd  mr  morison  do  aquit  and  discharge  the  sosiety 
from  all  demands  from  the  begining  of  the  world  to  this  day 
and  forever  after  reed  in  full  I  say  reed  per  me  as  witnis  my 
hand 

In  presonts  of 

Joseph  Clark  Evander  morison." 

Ezekiel  Case 
In  face  of  such  a  receipt,  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  Mr. 
Morrison  never  made  any  further  claims  against  the  "  sosiaty." 
Beyond  the  simple  fact  mentioned  by  Mr.  Burt  that  he  was 
ordained  as  an  evangelist  in  Scotland,  this  receipt  contains 
all  that  is  known  of  him.  Not  a  word  from  the  written  page 
or  from  the  lips  of  the  living  reveals  anything  of  him  as  a 
man  or  as  a  minister;  of  the  condition  of  the  church  under 
his  ministry,  or  of  his  subsequent  life. 

Rev.  Gideon  Mills. 

It  appears  that  after  laboring  with  the  people  one  or  two 
years,  Mr.  Mills,  the  second  pastor,  was  installed  in  February, 
1761,  and  dismissed  in  the  latter  part  of  1771,  his  entire 
ministry  covering  about  thirteen  years.  He  continued  to  re- 
side in  town  until  his  death,  in  1772,  and  was  buried  in  the 
South  burying  ground.  On  his  tombstone  is  the  following 
inscription : 

"  In  memory  of  Rev.  Gideon  Mills,  the  late  worthy  pastor 
of  the  church  of  Christ  in  West  Simsbury,  a  shining  example 


30 

of  unwearied  application  and  fidelity  in  the  accomplishment 
of  the  sacred  ministry  and  of  practical  Cliristianity  in  his 
dail}'  conversation,  havinsj  finished  his  course  and  kept  the 
faith,  on  the  4th  of  August,  1772,  he  fell  on  sleep,  in  the  59tli 
year  of  his  life  and  the  2Sth  of  his  ministry.  Quis  cordolio 
sit  dolor  aut  modus  tarn  cliari  capitis.'''' 

The  followino;  is  from  the  tomhstone  of  Mrs.  Mills,  who 
was  buried  beside  her  husband : 

"In  memory  of 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Mills, 

Relict  of  the 

Rev.  Gideon  Mills, 

who  died  July  27,  1774,  in  the  51st  year  of  her  age. 

In  her  were  united  the  virtues  of  a  tender  wife,  an  affectionate  mother, 

and  a  sincere  Christian. 

Nor  sex  nor  age  can  death  defy. 
Think,  mortal,  what  it  is  to  die." 

Mr.  Mills  was  graduated  at  Yale  College,  1737.  It  is  an 
interestino-  fact  that  he  w^as  of  the  same  ancestry  as  the  Rev. 
Samuel  J.  Mills,  son  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  J.  of  Torringford, 
Conn.,  one  of  the  first  missionaries  of  the  American  Board. 

The  following  sketch  of  Mr.  Mills  is  taken  from  Abiel 
Brown's  Genealogical  History  of  the  Early  Settlers  of  West 
Simsbury : 

"  Rev.  Gideon  Mills  was  the  seventh  son  of  the  first  Peter 
Mills,  of  Hollandish  descent.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Brewster  Higley,  spent  the  most 
part  .of  her  youth  and  girlhood  in  the  family  of  her  cousin, 
the  first  Gov.  Trumbull  of  Lebanon, 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Mills,  having  been  minister  in  Old  Sims- 
bury  previous  to  1755  (1744-1754),  after  living  and  preaching 
one  or  two  years  in  West  Simsbury,  he  was  installed  in  the 
year  1761.  He  lived  and  died  on  the  place  which  was  left  to 
his  son  Gideon,  and  which,  after  passing  through  several 
hands,  was  lately  owned  by  Henry  Foote. 

"All  the  time  of  his  ministry  in  West  Simsbury  he  lived 
two  and  one-half  miles  from  the  meeting-house,  over  a  very 
hilly,  cold,  and  uneven  road,  which  would  now  be  called  a 


31 

liard  Sabbath  day's  journey  for  a  clergyman  or  a  layman  ; 
this  road  he  traveled  weekl}^,  and  sometimes  much  oftener. 
One  incident  respecting  the  Rev.  Gideon  Mills  is  thought 
worthy  of  notice.  He  was  habitually  fond  of  music,  and 
would  request  others  that  could  sing  to  join  with  him,  and  he 
retained  his  relish  for  singing  even  to  his  dying  moments. 
He  died  of  a  cancer  in  the  face,  wliicli  kept  him  in  great  suf- 
fering for  man}'  of  the  last  weeks  of  his  life.  He  dwelt  much 
on  the  sentiments  expressed  in  the  3Stli  Psalm  (Watts), 
'  Amidst  thy  wrath  remember  love,'  etc. ;  also  the  39th,  '  God 
of  my  life  look  gently  down.'  Just  before  he  expired  he  re- 
quested his  friends  and  attendants  to  sing  the  38th  Psalm, 
'  Amidst  thy  wrath  remember  love,'  and  attempted  to  join 
with  them ;  but  when  the  fore  part  of  the  psalm  was  sung  he 
expired,  so  that'  it  was  said  by  Mr.  Hallock  on  a  certain 
occasion,  that  he  died  singing  the  3Sth  Psalm." 

After  Mr.  Mills  closed  his  labors,  the  Rev.  Lemuel  Wood- 
bridge  and  Mr.  John  Eliott  supplied  the  pulpit,  each  several 
months,  the  latter  of  whom  received  a  call  to  settle;  but  be- 
yond this  the  records  are  silent. 

Rev,  Seth  Sage. 

In  1774,  Rev.  Seth  Sage  of  Middletown,  Conn.,  was  or- 
dained as  pastor  of  the  church,  and  dismissed  in  1778.  After 
his  dismission  he  preached  several  years  in  the  north  part  of 
Canton,  for  an  independent  religious  body  which  had  applied 
to  the  General  Assembly  for  an  act  of  incorporation;  but, for 
some  unknown  reason,  were  refused.  Mr.  Sage  continued  to 
serve  them  until  his  death,  the  date  of  which  we  have  no 
record.  The  house  in  which  they  worshiped  was  taken  down 
about  1842,  and  the  proceeds  used  for  purchasing  a  library. 

At  the  dismission  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sage  the  church  was  in  low 
spiritual  condition.  This  will  not  seem  strange  when  we  con- 
sider that  the  colonies  were  convulsed  with  war,  and  the  men 
were  obliged  to  serve  in  the  army,  while  the  women  j^erformed 
the  manual  labor,  raising  the  crops  and  caring  for  tlie  flocks 
and  herds.     At  this  time  also  much  sickness  prevailed  among 


32 

the  people,  caused  by  the  return  of  soldiers  fi'oni  the  army, 
who  brought  back  disease  in  their  clothing. 

Between  1778  and  1785,  from  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Sage 
to  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Hallock,  the  records  show  that  Rev. 
Elam  Potter,  Rev.  Mr.  Woodbridge  —  probably  the  same 
man  who  had  formerly  preached  for  the  people  — Rev.  Abra- 
ham Fowler,  and  Rev.  Edmund  Mills  supplied  the  pulpit. 
Rev.  Mr.  Potter  was  invited  to  settle;  but  as  there  was  oppo- 
sition to  his  settlement,  the  matter  was  dropped.  Rev,  Ed- 
mund Mills  preached  for  about  four  montlis,  and  although  it 
was  in  the  summer,  a  powerful  revival  attended  his  labors, 
during  which  between  seventy  and  eighty  were  hopefully 
converted. 

A  Sketch  of  the  Life  and  Ministry  of  the  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Hallock,  Condensed  from  the  Biography  by  Rev.  Cyrus 
Yale. 

Mr.  Hallock  was  born  March  13,  1758,  at  Brookhaven, 
L.  I.  His  father's  name  was  William  Hallock,  his  mother's, 
Alice  Homan.  His  father  was  a  man  of  praj'er.  "  I  have 
repeatedly,"  said  Mr.  Hallock,  "  found  him  at  prayer  in  some 
retired  place.  I  know  of  none  with  whom  I  could  talk  more 
freely  on  religious  subjects." 

Jeremiah  was  the  oldest  of  nine  children,  and,  consequently, 
the  severe  labor  of  the  farm  fell  upon  him  until  he  was  twenty- 
one.  When  he  was  eight,  his  father  moved  to  Goshen,  Mass. 
While  here  Mr.  Hallock  was  twice  called  to  aid  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution.  Tiiis  discipline  assisted  him  in  the  hardships 
of  his  subsequent  life.  Many  times  in  mental  distress  the 
memory  of  one  fearful  night  on  Lake  George  recurred  to  him, 
and  he  took  courage  on  hearing  once  more  the  pilot's  call, 
"  Steady,  boys,"  and  the  answer,  "  All's  well." 

In  these  years  he  had  few  school  privileges.  He  spent 
much  time  in  reading  and  memorizing  the  Bible  ;  but  was 
not  a  Christian,  though  accustomed  to  pray.  One  day  he 
closed  a  prayer  with  these  words,  "  And  when  I  come  to  die, 
iit  me  for  death."     Instantl}'  he  saw  the  absurdity  of  deferring 


33 

that  preparation  until  the  closing  hour  of  life,  and  determined 
to  wait  no  longer.  It  was  sev^eral  months  before  an}'  remark- 
able change  of  mind  came  to  him,  and  then  he  writes  of  feel- 
ing as  if  "  every  head  of  straw  in  the  oats  he  was  reaping 
was  arrayed  with  a  kind  of  rainbow  glory,  the  glory  of  God." 
His  conversion  was  of  such  depth  and  sincerity  that  he  at 
once  began  a  life  of  Christian  activity.  The  revival  during 
the  subsequent  winter,  1780,  was  partly  due  to  his  public  and 
private  efforts.  In  this  revival  he  engaged  energetically, 
exhorting,  conducting  services,  or  conversing  with  people  in 
private. 

The  next  four  years  he  spent  in  preparation  for  the  minis- 
try. In  August,  1780,  he  entered  Timothy  Dwight's  pre- 
paratory school  at  Northampton.  Here  the  dry  stud}'  of 
Latin  vexed  him  as  it  does  many  a  student  to-day.  In  1781 
he  united  with  the  church  in  Goshen.  September,  1782,  he 
was  fitted  for  college,  but  ill  health  prevented  his  entering. 
He  soon  began  theological  studies  which  he  carried  on  under 
several  different  ministers.  In  April,  1783,  he  visited  Mr. 
Abraham  Fowler  of  West  Simsbury,  now  Canton,  and  spent 
the  summer  studying  with  him.  He  notes  that  a  great  revi- 
val was  in  progress  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Edmund 
Mills.     About  one  hundred  were  converted. 

In  January,  1781,  he  expected  to  be  licensed  to  preach  ; 
but  severe  storms  prevented  the  assembling  of  the  association, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  defer  the  matter  till  April.  His 
cherished  desire  was  to  be  an  itinerant  preacher,  and  only  the 
plain  will  of  God  led  him  to  become  a  settled  pastor.  He 
preached  in  many  different  places,  and  such  was  his  popu- 
larity that  five  churches  at  one  time  were  awaiting  his  accept- 
ance of  their  call.  He  had  preached  frequently  in  Canton, 
and  been  with  the  people  during  two  revivals.  Though  he 
refused  their  call,  they  renewed  their  invitation,  seconded  by 
the  youth  of  the  congregation.  This  time  he  accepted,  and 
was  ordained  October  26,  1785. 

In  the  sjiring  of  1786  Mr.  Hallock  married  Mercy  Humph- 
rey, a  daughter  of  Oliver  Humphrey.     Thi'ee   children  were 

5 


34 

born  to  tliem,  Jeremiah  Iliiniplirey,  wlio  was  educated  at 
Williams  College,  and  who  become  presiding  judge  in  the 
circuits  of  Ohio,  and  an  esteemed  officer  in  the  church  ;  Wil- 
liam Roman,  who  spent  his  life  in  this  town;  and  Sarah,  who 
died  in  her  tifteenth  year. 

A  few  words  now  concerning  Mr.  Hallock's  character  and 
manner  of  life,  will  disclose  to  us  the  secret  of  his  usefulness 
among  this  people.  He  was  essentially  a  religious  man. 
Prayer  was  his  "  vital  breath,"  and  "  to  do  the  will  of  God 
was  more  tlian  his  meat  and  drink."  Many  a  secluded  spot 
in  the  forests  near  his  residence  was  consecrated  by  his  peti- 
tions. He  designed  to  spend  several  hours  each  day  in  devo- 
tion, and  observed  fast-days  as  often  as  he  could.  He  greatly 
regretted  if  anything  interrupted  these  plans.  He  was  benev- 
olent, and  no  needy  person  was  ever  turned  empty  away 
from  his  door.  He  stood  fearlessly  for  the  right  when  God's 
cause  demanded;  but  was  willing  to  yield  his  own  opinions 
when  no  principle  was  at  stake.  At  one  time  a  pronounced 
infidel  was  appointed  school  visitor.  Mr.  Hallock  rose  in 
the  meeting  and  pleaded  so  eloquently  for  Christ  and  the 
safety  of  his  people  that  the  decision  was  reversed. 

A  few  anecdotes  are  so  characteristic  that  to  omit  them 
would  be  to  miss  giving  a  vivid  picture  of  the  man. 

In  a  sermon  he  once  wished  to  impress  on  his  people  the 
strength  of  Satan.  He  said,  "  The  Devil  is  as  much  stronger 
than  Capt.  Fred.  Humphreys  (a  man  of  giant  proportions)  as 
Capt.  Fred.  Humphreys  is  stronger  than  my  little  Jerry." 

A  brother  minister,  troubled  by  difficulties  in  his  parish, 
came  to  him  for  comfort.  Mr.  Hallock  said :  "  Be  not 
alarmed,  my  young  brother.  Soon  after  my  ordination  I 
thought  for  a  time  they  would  kill  me.  One  enemy  opened 
a  battery  on  the  right,  another  on  the  left;  I  trembled  —  I 
looked  to  see  myself  fall  every  moment  —  I  wondered  that  I 
remained  alive ;  but  I  found,  after  a  while,  it  was  all  roar^ 
roar^  and  not  a  single  buUei.^^ 

"  In  Mr.  Hallock's  familiar  circle  of  ministers,  two  persons 
were  referred  to  who  gave  equal  evidence  of  piety,  while  one 
professed  a  hope  in  Christ  and  the  other  did  not.     The  ques- 


tion  was,  how  far  the  absence  of  hope  was  evidence  against 
the  latter.  One  and  another  gave  their  views,  when  Mr.  Hal- 
iock  said,  '  Suppose  I  send  my  two  hoys  down  to  clean  out 
my  well,  and  it  caves  in  upon  them.  The  neighbors  help  me 
to  dig  down  to  them,  when  it  occurs  to  me  that  possibl}'  they 
might  hear  my  voice.  I  cry  out,  '  Jeremiah,  are  you  dead  V 
'  JNTo,  sir.'  '  Iloman,  are  you  dead  ? '  '  Yes,  sir.'  They  report 
themselves  ditferently,  but  I  have  equal  evidence  that  both 
are  alive.' " 

As  a  preacher,  his  style  had  little  oratorical  eloquence,  but 
much  of  that  power  which  comes  from  sincere  heart  prepara- 
tion. He  writes  in  one  place,  "  O,  may  I  always  eat  my  ser- 
mons before  I  preach  them."  Soon  after  he  came  to  Canton 
he  adopted  the  motto,  "  What  can  I  do  for  God  ? "  This  he 
sought  to  follow,  though  sometimes  hindered  by  the  opposition 
of  his  people.  More  often  he  complains  of  his  own  coldness 
and  lack  of  spiritual  vigor.  He  had  a  profoundly  melancholy 
disposition,  united  to  a  keenly  sensitive  conscience ;  and  con- 
sequently we  find  him  mourning  over  every  hint  of  sin  in 
his  heart.  A  life  so  carefully  guarded  could  not  fail  to  be 
fruitful  in  its  influence' over  all  who  knew  him. 

For  twelve  years  he  had  labored  with  but  few  encouraging 
results.  Suddenlj^,  in  the  fall  of  1798  a  revival  began. 
Silently  and  rapidly  the  Spirit's  influence  spread.  Thought- 
less young  people  and  hardened  infidels  were  subdued,  and 
the  salvation  of  the  soul  was  the  theme  of  conversation. 
Between  sixty  and  seventy  were  hopefully  converted. 

In  1801  Mr.  Hallock  spent  four  months  as  a  missionary  in 
Yerraont  in  obedience  to  the  call  of  the  Connecticut  Mission- 
ary Society.  On  returning,  he  assisted  in  revivals  in  neigh- 
boring parishes.  In  1805  another  interesting  revival  pre- 
vailed in  his  own  church.  About  thy'ty  were  hopefully  con- 
verted. In  the  spring  of  1806  Mr.  Hallock,  with  his  deacons, 
visited  all  the  people  in  the  parish  for  religious  conversation. 
One  would  infer  from  his  notes  that  there  was  as  much  relig- 
ious destitution  in  the  community  then  as  there  is  now. 

In  the  autumn  of  1806  his  son,  Jeremiah,  entered  Williams 


36 

College.     Many  were  the  i)rayers  for  this  child,  who  as  yet 
was  not  a  Christian. 

In  1807  Mr.  Hallock  spent  four  months  on  a  second  mis- 
sionary tour  in  Yermont. 

Mr.  Hallock  notes  that  in  March,  1811,  Kev.  Samnel  J. 
Mills,  the  pioneer  missionary,  occupied  the  pulpit  acceptably 
one  Sabbath. 

The  years  1812  and  1813  were  marked  by  another  revival, 
during  which  about  twenty-eight  were  brought  into  the 
churcli.  The  pastor's  own  heart  was  grieved  by  the  depart- 
ure of  his  eldest  son  for  Ohio  without  manifesting  an  interest 
in  religion. 

In  the  autumn  of  1813  a  severe  trial  came  to  Mr.  Hallock. 
Sarah,  his  only  daughter,  was  stricken  with  the  spotted  fever, 
and  in  less  than  two  weeks  passed  away.  Her  father's  chief 
anxiety  was  for  the  salvation  of  her  soul.  He  continued 
through  life  to  cherish  her  memory  with  a  peculiarly  tender 
att'ection.  Scarcely  had  she  fallen  when  Iloman  was  taken 
with  the  same  disease.  He  was  brought  so  near  death  that 
for  three  hours  he  lay  in  an  apparently  dying  state.  The 
loving  father's  heart  was  agonized  for  his  salvation.  He 
wrote^in  his  journal:  "And  what  shall  I  say?  What  shall  I 
do?  Where  shall  I  go  ?  O,  Lord,  keep  me  from  murmuring. 
O,  most  merciful  God,  if  it  can  be  consistent  with  Thy  will,^ 
that  we  might  have  some  evidence  of  his  being  a  subject  of 
Gospel  faith  and  pardon! -but  O,  that  in  this  I  might  also 
be  resigned."  At  lengtli  Iloman  rallied,  and  lived  to  be  an 
aid  to  his  father  and  an  honored  and  useful  man  in  our  town. 
Before  he  had  recovered,  Mrs.  Hallock  became  sick  with  the 
same  disease,  and  shortly  after  Mr.  Hallock  was  seized.  His 
illness  prevented  him  from  preaching  for  nearly  four  months. 
The  people  were  exceedingly  kind  and  helpful,  not  only  m 
word,  but  in  deed.  During  his  sickness  the  people  agreed  to 
build  a  new  church.  Since  the  incorporation  of  the  church 
in  1750,  the  people  had  worshiped  in  the  building  erected 
about  that  time.  This  was  now  considered  too  small,  aiid 
they  joined  unanimously  in  removing  it,  and  leveling  the  hill 
on  which  it  stood.     The  new  building  was  erected  on  the 


37 

same  site.  Mr.  Orange  Case,  a  valuable  member  of  the 
church  and  society,  was  killed  by  the  accidental  fall  of  the 
first  tree  cut  for  the  frame  of  the  new  house.  January  5, 
1815,  this  was  dedicated.  Mr.  Hallock's  dedication  sermon 
from  1  Kings,  viii,  03,  was  soon  after  printed,  and  is  now  in 
existence.  During  1816  and  1817  sixty-four  were  added  to 
the  church. 

Mr.  Hallock  now  began  to  feel  the  infirmities  of  age,  but 
he  still  continued  active  work.  He  went  here  and  there, 
attending  associations  of  ministers,  or  assisting  in  revival  ser- 
vices, often  enduring  hardships  that  younger  ministers  shrank 
from.  In  182U  occurred  the  last  general  revival  in  which  he 
ever  engaged.  He  often  rode  twenty  miles  or  more  to  assist 
neighboring  clergymen. 

The  year  1822  brought  him  the  joyful  news  that  his  eldest 
son  was  hopefully  converted.  Soon  after  he  wrote:  "He 
has  been  a  child  of  my  daily  prayers;  I  have  often  thought 
of  those  words  where  the  psalmist  speaks  of  praying  until  his 
throat  was  dried,  and  of  looking  until  his  eyes  failed.  I 
I  could  hardly  believe  for  joy."  Great  was  his  joy  when  this 
son  visited  him  a  few  years  later  and  partook  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  with  him. 

February  15,  1824,  he  preached  a  sermon  from  Numbers, 
X,  1-10,  with  reference  to  the  hell,  which  was  rung  that  day 
for  the  first  time. 

The  record  of  the  next  two  years  is  one  of  suffering.  In 
the  spring  of  1825  Mrs.  Hallock  became  ill  with  a  tedious 
and  incurable  disease.  The  year  had  scarcely  closed  before 
his  own  health  began  to  decline.  He  still  continued  public 
labor  though  he  wrote  often  of  distressing  nights  and 
increasing  weakness. 

May  21,  1826,  he  preached  two  sermons  and  administered 
the  Lord's  Supper.  The  second  sermon  and  the  last  he  ever 
preached  was  founded  on  Ps.,  xci,  1,  "He  that  dwelleth  in 
the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High,  shall  abide  under  the 
shadow  of  the  Almighty."     Surely  he  dwelt  there. 

June  2Uth,  he  was  stricken  with  apoplexy  and  lingered 
three  days.     His  lucid  intervals  were  filled  with  words  about 


38 

Jesiiis,  and  pra^-ers  for  the  friends  he  was  leaving  behind. 
His  last  intellio-ent  words  were  addressed  to  his  grandson 
William, —  "  O,  you  little  boy,  may  it  be  said  of  yon,  as  of 
Enoch,  that  yon  '  walked  with  God.'  I  trust  1  have  the 
happiness  of  Christ's  presence." 

His  funeral  was  attended  June  24th  by  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Yale 
of  New  Hartford,  who  preached  a  sermon  from  Gen.  v,  24. 

The  following  just  remarks  concerning  Mr.  11  allock 
appeared  soon  after  his  death  in  the  Connecticut  Observer. 

"  Mr.  Hallock  was  a  burnino-  and  shining  light.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  godly  men  that  Christ  has 
raised  up  in  the  New  England  churches.  As  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  he  was  mighty  in  the  Scriptures.  His  sermons 
were  fraught  with  plain  evangelical  truth,  and  they  were 
delivered  with  all  the  tenderness  and  solemnity  of  a  dying 
man  preaching  to  dying  men.  When  Mr.  Hallock  spoke; 
when  he  proclaimed  the  message  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  there 
was  silence  in  the  house  of  God.  All  present  must  hear  and 
feel.  Many  who  have  gone  to  heaven  before  him,  and  many 
whom  he  has  left  in  this  vale  of  tears  recognize  him  as  their 
spiritual  hither.  Perhaps,  no  minister  of  the  Gospel  since  the 
apostle  John,  has  been  more  universally  beloved  ;  as  a  Chris- 
tian he  was  humble,  holy,  and  heavenly  minded.  From  the 
day  on  which  he  dated  his  conversion  until  his  pilgrimage  on 
earth  was  closed,  he  never  slumbered  nor  slept.  He  felt  and 
lived  like  one  who  knows  he  has  a  great  w^ork  to  perform, 
and  an  interest  of  immeasurable  importance  at  stake,  and 
not  a  moment  to  lose.  He  saw  thfe  night  of  death  approach- 
ing, and  labored  while  the  day  of  life  lasted.  He  conversed, 
he  studied,  he  prayed,  he  visited,  and  he  preached  with  the 
final  judgment  in  view.  With  him,  religion  was  everything. 
He  died  as  he  lived.  He  lived  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  died 
unto  the  Lord.  His  sun  went  down  without  a  cloud.  As 
the  scenes  of  eternity  were  bursting  upon  his  view,  he  said  to 
one  of  his  brethren  (Eev.  Mr,  McLean),  "  Brother,  I  am  far 
from  having  distressing  doubts  and  fears.  If  I  have  not 
loved  Christ  and  Christ's  things,  I  don't  know  what  I  have 
loved.     I    think    I    can    say   that   the  gospel  which   I   have 


39 

attempted  to  preach  for  more  than  forty  years,  is  now  like  an 
anclior  in  a  storm."  While  in  tlie  ag-onies  of  death  his  last 
prayer  was : —  "  O,  God  prepare  me  for,  and  take  me  to  Thyself, 
through  Him  who  said,  Lo  I  am  with  yon  always ;  grant  me 
Thy  presence  even  until  death.  O,  may  I  go  penitent;  go  in 
faith  — go  in  love  to  Jesus.  '  O,  Lord,  come  and  take  me.'  " 
In  English  Literature  there  are  two  unsurpassed  portraits 
of  pastors  ;  one  by  Oliver  Goldsmith  in  the  last  century, 
the  other  by  Chaucer  about  four  hundred  years  before.  If 
either  writer  had  lived  in  Jeremiah  Hallock's  time,  one  might 
almost  suspect  that  he  had  been  taken  as  a  model.  They 
have  drawn  his  character  in  better  words  than  we  can  choose, 
and  we  will  close  this  brief  sketch  by  quoting  a  part  of  each 
portrait. 

"  Benigne  be  was,  and  wonder  diligent. 
And  in  adversite  ful  pacient; 
Wyd  was  his  parische,  and  houses  fer  asounder, 
But  he  ne  lafte  not  for  reyne  ne  thonder, 
In  silvnesse  nor  in  meschief  to  visite 
The  ferreste  in  his  parissche,  moche  and  lite, 
Uppon  his  feet,  and  in  his  hand  a  staflE. 
This  noble  ensample  to  his  scheep  be  yaf. 
That  first  he  wroughte,  and  afterward  he  taughte. 
Out  of  the  gospel  be  tho  wordes  caughte. 

"  He  waytede  after  no  pompe  and  reverence. 
But  Cbristes  lore,  and  his  apostle  twelve. 
He  taught,  but  first  he  folwede  it  himselve." 


Near  yonder  copse,  where  once  the  garden  smiled, 
And  still  where  many  a  garden  flower  grows  wild; 
There,  where  a  few  torn  shrubs  the  place  disclose, 
The  village  preacher's  modest  mansion  rose. 
A  man  he  was  to  all  the  country  dear. 
And  passing  rich  with  forty  pounds  a  year, 
Remote  from  towns  he  ran  his  godly  race, 
Nor  e'er  had  changed,  nor  wished  to  change  his  place; 
Unskillful  he  to  fawn,  or  seek  for  power 
By  doctrines  fashioned  to  the  varying  hour; 
Far  other  aims  his  heart  bad  learned  to  prize, 
ilore  bent  to  raise  the  wretched,  than  to  rise. 

At  church,  with  meek  and  unaffected  grace, 
His  looks  adorned  the  venerable  place; 


40 

Truth  from  his  lips  prevailed  with  double  sway, 

And  fools  who  came  to  scoff,  remained  to  pray. 

The  service  past,  around  the  pious  man, 

With  ready  zeal,  each  honest  rustic  ran ; 

E'en  children  followed  with  endearing  wile. 

And  plucked  his  gown,  to  share  the  good  man's  smile. 

His  ready  smile  a  parent's  warmth  expressed ; 

Their  welfare  pleased  him,  and  their  cares  distressed, 

To  them  his  heart,  his  love,  his  griefs  were  given. 

But  all  his  serious  thoughts  had  rest  in  heaven  : 

As  some  tall  cliff  that  lifts  its  awful  form. 

Swells  from  the  vale,  and  midwaj'  leaves  the  storm. 

Though  round  its  breast  the  rolling  clouds  are  spread. 

Eternal  sunshine  settles  on  its  head. " 

On   Mr,  Plallock's   tombstone   is  inscribed   the  following 

epitaph  : 

"  The  grave's  the  pulpit  of  departed  man. 
From  it  he  speaks; 
His  text  and  doctrine  are 
Thou,  too,  must  die  and  come  to  judgment. 

"He  shone  with  distinguished  piety,  humility,  and  heavenlj^  wisdom. 
Sound  in  doctrine,  faithful  and  unwearied  in  the  service  of  his  Lord, 
and  deeply  solicitous  for  the  salvation  of  precious  souls,  and  the 
immortal  interests  of  his  people.     He  made  full  proof  of  his  ministry. 

"  May  his  mantle  fall  upon  his  successor." 

Mrs.  Hallock  died  Nov.  3,  1826,  aged  sixtj-tliree.  Her 
epitaph  shows  the  people's  estimate  of  her  : 

"As  a  parent  she  was  affectionate  and  faithful;  as  a  Christian,  exemplary 
and  watchful,  and  as  a  companion  of  a  devoted  minister  of  Christ, 
"  She  doubled  his  joys,  and  half  sustained  his  cares." 
"  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord." 

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH   OF  REV.   JAIRUS   BURT. 

I  was  born  in  Sonthampton,  Mass.,  the  sixteenth  day  of 
March,  1795.  My  father's  name  was  Samuel  Burt,  whose 
father's  name  was  Samuel,  the  son  of  David,  the  son  of 
Henry,  the  son  of  David,  who  was  one  of  the  settlers  of 
Northampton.  He  was  the  son  of  Henry  Burt,  who  removed 
from  Roxbury  to  Springfield  soon  after  the  settlement  of  that 
place.  My  mother's  name  was  Charity  Pomeroy,  daughter 
of  Captain  Abner   Pomero}-  of  Southampton.      My  grand- 


41 

father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Soutliaiupton,  and  was, 
as  I  have  been  told,  a  man  of  some  consideration  in  pnblic 
affairs.  My  parents  had  eleven  children,  six  sons  and  five 
daughters.     I  was  the  fifth  son  and  ninth  child. 

Amono;  iiiv  earliest  recollections  was  the  burninof  of  mv 
father's  house,  when  I  was  two  years,  two  months  old.  I 
remember  little  more  than  the  fact  that  the  younger  children 
were  sent  to  the  barn  under  the  care  of  some  of  the  elder,  and 
seeing  the  men  come  to  the  barn-well  for  water.  I  saw  them 
lift  off  the  curb  and  dip  the  water  from  the  top,  it  being  full 
to  the  brim.  I  have  no  recollection  of  any  feeling  of  sadness 
or  regret.  My  views  of  the  whole  scene  were  those  of  a 
child,  doubtless,  with  little  or  nothing  of  practical  result. 

In  early  childhood  my  mind  was  occupied  more  or  less 
with  the  question  of  personal  religion ;  but  my  seriousness,  a 
temporary  hope  cherished  for  a  time,  was  like  the  morning 
cloud  and  earlj^  dew  that  pass  away. 

In  the  autumn  of  1808,  when  I  was  thirteen  years  old,  I 
liad  a  very  severe  attack  of  inflammatory  rheumatism,  which 
confined  me  through  the  subsequent  winter,  and  brought  me 
to  the  very  door  of  death,  in  the  view  of  my  friends.  My 
recovery  was  very  gradual,  and  my  system  left  in  a  state  pre- 
disposing to  rheumatic  attacks. 

During  this  early  period  my  life  was  marked  only  by  the 
common  incidents  of  boys  on  a  father's  farm  in  an  out-section 
of  the  town. 

The  ninth  of  July,  1816,  I  was  married  to  Electa  Carpen- 
ter, daughter  of  Israel  Carpenter  of  Norwich,  Mass.  She 
was  a  native  of  Coventry,  Conn.  We  lived  together  till 
March,  1818,  in  which  month  I  buried  her  and  her  infant 
son  of  twelve  weeks,  born  January  20,  1818.  She  died  the 
fourth  day  of  March,  aTid  our  son,  Joseph  Carpenter  Burt,  on 
the  twenty -seventh. 

During  the  summer  of  1815,  the  year  before  my  marriage, 
my  mind  was  for  months  occupied  with  the  fact  of  my  lost 
condition  as  a  sinner,  and  the  necessity  of  my  becomin<>- 
a  new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus.     The  result  was  a  hope  of 


42 

salvation  tlirougli  the  blood  of  Christ,  which  was  shed  for 
remission  of  sins.  This  change  of  views  and  feeling  on  the 
subject  of  religion  took  place  in  the  latter  part  of  the  autumn 
of  that  year.  She  who  was  to  be  the  wife  of  ni_y  youth  was 
converted  to  Christ,  as  she  hoped,  the  winter  following; 
and  we  made  public  profession  of  our  faith  in  Christ,  and 
united  in  covenant  with  the  Congregational  Church  in  my 
native  place,  then  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Vinson  Gould,  the 
first  Sabbath  in  May,  1816. 

My  state  of  health  became  so  impaired  in  the  spi-ing  and 
summer  of  1818  that  I  was  unable  to  labor  on  the  farm  with 
prolit;  and  with  advice  I  went,  in  July,  to  spend  some  time 
with  my  brother,  Kev.  Sylvester  Burt  of  Kew  Marlborough, 
Mass.,  to  qualify  myself  for  the  business  of  school-teaching, 
and  meanwhile  to  raise,  if  possible,  a  better  tone  of  health  in 
my  system.  The  result  was  my  commencement  and  prosecu- 
tion of  a  course  of  study  with  a  view  to  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel.  I  pursued  my  preparatory  studies  with  my  brother, 
and  entered  Williams  College  at  the  Commencement  in  1820, 
a  freshman.  About  the  middle  of  the  next  summer  I  left 
college  and  entered  the  Collegiate  Institution  in  Amherst  at 
its  opening  the  following  autumn.  There  I  continued  my 
course  of  study  until  I  had  completed  the  prescribed  four 
years,  and  graduated  at  the  commencement  in  1824.  In  the 
autumn  of  that  year  I  entered  Auburn  Theological  Seminary 
in  the  State  of  jS^ew  York,  where  I  engaged  in  the  course  ot 
theological  study,  and  continued  there  till  January,  1820. 

From  Auburn  I  returned  to  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  and 
pursued  my  studies  there  till  I  was  licensed  to  preach  the 
Gospel  by  the  North  Association  of  Litchfield  County,  Conn., 
on  tlie  first  day  of  June,  1826,  at  the  house  of  Rev.  Timothy 
Stone  in  South  Cornwall.  The  licensure  was  in  the  following 
form : 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  North  Association  of  Litchfield 
County,  on  the  first  day  of  June,  at  the  house  of  Rev.  Timo- 
thy Stone  in  South  Cornwall,  Mr.  Jairus  Burt  of  Southampton, 
Mass.,    was   introduced    to    us   to   be    recommended  to   the 


• 


43 

churches  as  a  candidate  fi)r  the  Gospel  ministry.  After  a  full 
examination  as  to  his  actual  and  ex])erimental  knowledi^e  ot 
the  truths  and  duties  of  Ciiristianity,  his  aptness  to  teach,  his 
views  of  entering  the  ministry,  and  his  genei-al  qualifications, 
we  do  hereby  approve  and  recommend  him  to  the  churches 
for  the  term  of  four  years,  according  to  the  rules  of  this 
body. 

"Signed,  L.  P.  Hickok,  Scribe. 

I  returned  to  my  brother's  in  Great  Barrington,  and 
preached  for  him  the  next  Sabbath,  the  Sabbath  following  in 
South  New  Marlborough,  and  the  second  of  July  commenced 
preaching  on  engagement  in  Coleraine,  Mass.,  wliere  I  sup- 
plied ten  Sabbaths.  During  that  time  I  received  an  invita- 
tion from  the  committee  of  the  Congregational  Society  in 
Canton,  Conn.,  to  preach,  with  a  view  to  settlement  in  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  should  that  appear  to  be  the  will  of 
God.  I  accepted  the  invitation,  and  preached  my  first  ser- 
mon in  Canton,  September  17,  1826.  My  texts  on  that  Sab- 
bath were.  Gal.  i,  9;  Ps.  cxxxvii,  1.  Subjects,  "The  Curse 
of  Preaching  a  False  Gospel,"  and  "  AYeeping  Over  the  Deso- 
lation of  Zion."  The  impression  was  apparently  good,  and  at 
their  request  I  consented  to  preach  and  visit,  as  I  could,  till 
their  annual  society's  meeting,  which  would  be  held  the  last 
of  October. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  the  last  Monday  in  Octobei-,  I 
received  in  form  an  invitation  from  the  society,  through  their 
committee,  to  settle  with  them  in  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
stipulating  to  pay  me  an  annual  salary  of  $500.  A  unani- 
mous invitation  from  the  church  preceded  this  call  from  the 
society.  The  call  of  the  society  also  purpoi'ted  to  be  unani- 
mous, eighty-eight  members  being  present.  In  due  consider- 
ation of  the  proposal  in  the  circumstances,  I  was  constrained 
to  listen  to  it  as  a  call  of  God  to  this  field  of  labor.  I  signi- 
fied my  acceptance  of  their  invitation,  accordingly,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel,  by  arrangement,  the  twen- 
tieth of  December,  1826,  by  the  North  Consociation  of  Litch- 
field County,  with   which  this   church  was  then  connected. 


44 

Rev.  James  Beacli  of  Winsted,  presided  on  tlie  occasion. 
Hev,  Frederick  Marsh  of  Winchester  offered  the  introductory 
prayer.  My  eldest  brother,  Rev.  Sylvester  Bnrt  of  Great 
Barrington,  Mass.,  preached  from  II  Cor.  v,  20;  the  ordaining 
prayer  was  by  Mr.  Beach;  charge  to  the  pastor  by  Rev. 
Ralph  Emerson  of  Norfolk;  right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev. 
Erastus  Clapp  of  Burlington  ;  the  conclnding  pra^-er  by  Rev. 
Leonard  E.  Lathrop  of  Salisbury.  My  relations  to  the  church 
and  people  as  their  pastor  and  minister  being  thus  consum- 
mated according  to  Congregational  usage,  I  preached  tlie 
following  Sabbath  in  the  morning  on  the  position  and  duties 
of  a  watchman,  from  Ezek.  iii,  17,  and  in  the  afternoon  from 
Romams  xiv,  19,  on  following  after  the  things  that  make  for 
peace.  January  24,  1827,  I  was  married  to  Miss  Betsey  C. 
Ward  of  !New  Marlborough,  Mass.,  and  was  thus  again  set- 
tled in  family  state.  We  commenced  house-keeping  immedi- 
ately, my  youngest  sister,  Persis,  living  with  us  for  a  time.  I 
was  now  established  in  my  parish  and  in  my  family,  under 
the  responsibility  of  the  pastorate  and  the  household.  The 
people  were  kind,  and  liberal  in  their  expressions  of  respect 
and  regard,  and  everything  seemed  to  promise  a  happy  and 
useful  ministry.  But  it  was  soon  manifest  that  sin  had  its 
strongholds  in  Canton,  as  well  as  elsewhere;  and  that  the 
ministry  which  would  be  faithful  must  not  shun  to  grapple 
with  evil  habits  and  custonjs,  however  hoary  or  strongly 
intrenched. 

On  the  fourth  of  February,  1827,  I  preached  two  sermons 
against  intemperance  from  the  text,  "  Strong  drink  is  raging, 
and  whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is  not  wise."  Prov.  xx,  1. 
After  an  introduction  showing  the  nature  of  intoxicating 
drinks  as  a  raging  element  I  went  on  to  show  — 

I.     AVhen  men  are  deceived  by  them: 

1.  When  they  think  them  necessary  as  drinks. 

2.  AVhen  they  think  the  stimulation  of  them  will  help 
them  to  accomplish  more  business. 

3.  W^hen  they  think  there  is  no  danger  in  their  use. 

4.  When  they  think  them  conducive  to  the  prevention  of 
evil  effects  from  cold  and  heat. 


45 

5.  "When  they  are  deemed  necessary  fur  tlie  polite  enter- 
tainment of  company. 

6.  When  they  drink  more  tlian   is  for  their  health  and 
nsefnlness, 

II.  That  it  is  nnwise  to  be  thns  deceived  by  them,  because : 

1.  The  use  is  a  waste  of  property. 

2.  The  use  is  a  waste  of  health. 

3.  Tlie  use  is  a  waste  of  reputation,  and  jeopardy  of  the 
soul. 

4.  The  use  is  productive  of  great  wretchedness  in  others. 
The  two  sermons  were  then  closed  with   an  appeal  on  the 

question,  "  What  can  be  done  to  check  this  spreading  evil  ? " 
It  was  said,  "  Look  at  the  savage  monster  lurking  about  from 
])lace  to  place,  hunting  for  the  body  and  the  soul.  1  wish  the 
attention  of  every  man,  woman,  and  child  could  be  arrested  that 
they  could  all  have  a  full  view  of  the  tremendous  evil."  "  Did 
you  believe  a  beast  of  prey  prowling  about  your  folds,  how 
you  would  fortify  every  point,  that  your  flock  might  be  safe." 

"  Were  the  Indian  of  the  forest  lurking  about  your  dwell- 
ing in  thirst  for  your  blood  and  the  blood  of  your  children, 
would  you  feel  secure?  Would  you  open  your  doors  and 
invite  him  in  ?  Here  is  an  enemy  not  less  dangerous,  one 
who  has  destroyed  more  lives  than  all  the  American  Indians. 
Deal  with  him  then,  as  with  a  savage  foe  ;  fortify  every  place 
exposed  ;  keep  out  your  guard  ;  let  the  alarm  be  given,  and 
when  given,  taken."  "This  enemy  is  making  families 
wretched  ;  he  is  warring  on  the  authority  of  God,  and  the 
peace  and  well-being  of  man.  Nor  does  he  spare  the  church, 
her  sacred  enclosures  are  entered.  Can  nothing  be  done? 
Place  on  your  banners  entire  abstinence,  and  something  will  be 
done." 

The  following  Sabbath  I  preached  a  sermon  (February  11) 
on  the  text  Hab.  ii,  15.  This  was  designed  to  hit  the  case  of 
manufacturers  and  venders.  The  plan  of  this  sermon  was 
to  — 

I,     Notice  some  prevalent  practices  in  the  community. 
II.     Show  that  these  practices  are  needless. 


III.     Consider  the  evils  resulting  from  them. 


« 


46 

Thus  my  position  was  early  and  clearly  defined  on  the 
nature  and  use  of  alcoholic  liqnors,  particularly  in  their  spirit- 
nous  form  as  distilled.  The  wakin^  to  the  evils  of  fer- 
mented liquors  as  equal  to  those  of  distilled,  and  as  alike  to 
be  abandoned,  was  reserved  to  an  after  day  in  the  progress  of 
temperance  knowledge. 

1827.  Just  at  this  time  were  manifested  in  the  congrega- 
tion and  community  the  tokens  of  God's  presence  in  tlie  person 
of  the  Holy  Spirit'.  The  assemblies  for  religions  worship 
W'Cre  filled,  the  attention  to  the  truth  increased  till  in  the  fol- 
lowing spring  and  summer  we  were  in  the  midst  of  a  powerful 
work  of  grace.  Believers  were  revived  and  quickened,  and 
sinners  in  great  numbers  converted  to  God. 

September  2,  1827,  eighty-eight  were  received  into  the 
church  on  profession  of  their  faith,  and  in  October  and  Novem- 
ber twenty  others,  making  in  all  one  hundred  and  eight,  and 
in  the  following  year  eleven  on  profession,  making  one  hun- 
dred and  nineteen,  which  may  be  considered  the  fruit  of  that 
season  of  refreshing. 

Among  the  early  developments  adverse  to  the  success  of 
the  ministry  was  not  only  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks; 
but  also  the  institution  of  Freemasonry,  which  became  more 
openly  hostile  to  gospel  truth  in  consequence  of  its  exposure 
by  William  Morgan  of  Western  New  York,  who  published 
his  book  on  Masonry  in  tlie  latter  part  of  1826.  Its  extra- 
judicial and  wncked  oaths  as  exposed  by  Morgan  and  corrobo- 
rated by  other  Masons,  who  renounced  their  connection  with 
the  order  and  took  grounds  in  opposition  to  the  system, 
aroused  extensive  opposition  to  an  institution  based  on  such 
obligations  of  secrecy.  In  this  state  of  things  the  preaching 
of  the  Gospel  in  its  principles  and  spirit  was  charged  as  anti- 
Masonic,  So  a  disposition  was  manifested  by  those  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  order  to  make  an  impression  by  formally 
withdrawing  from  the  Ecclesiastical  Society  by  lodging  their 
certificate  with  the  clerk  of  the  society.  Two  per  week  were 
thus  to  withdraw,  it  was  said,  till  some  fifteen  or  twenty  or 
more  had  left.  The  certificating  commenced  and  proceeded 
till  four  individuals  had  left  on  two  succeeding  weeks.     Here 


47 

it  stopped.  But  the  excitement  ^vas  high  and  protracted, 
seeming  for  a  time  to  threaten  ruin  to  everything  vahiable  and 
sacred.  But  the  Lord  delivered  us  from  the  rage  of  the  people, 
though  not  from  the  evil  working  of  this  secret  association.  • 
Not  having  been  initiated  into  the  secrecies  of  the  Order,  I 
could  only  say  what  I  did  say  and  defend,  "  that  if  the  Masonic 
oatlis  were  as  represented  in  Morgan's  book,  they  were  wrong, 
wicked  in  the  extreme,  and  deserved  the  reprobation  of  every 
lover  of  God  and  man."  This  was  my  doctrine  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Freemasonry,  nor  have  I  yet  seen  cause  to  renounce  it 
"as  an  error.  I  viewed  it  then  as  I  now  do  that  that,  and  the 
whole  family  of  secret  associations,  was  wrong,  and  a  danger- 
ous element  in  civil  and  Christian  society. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  June,  1S29,  we  had  a  son  born  whom 
we  dedicated  to  God  in  baptism,  naming  him  Jairus  Ward. 
A  new  relation  to  us  clustering  about  itself  untold  interests 
and  responsibilities.     "  The  future  all  to  us  unknown." 

In  the  autumn  of  1831  were  held  in  this  as  in  many  other 
places  protracted  religious  exercises  from  day  to  day,  which 
were  attended  and  followed  by  the  special  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  In  the  following  year,  1832,  twenty-six  were 
added  to  the  church  on  profession  of  their  faith  in  Christ. 

The  year  1834  was  marked  by  special  religious  interest  to 
a  limited  extent,  adding  to  the  church  seven  young  persons. 
In  August,  1835,  I  w^as  laid  by  with  a  slow  bilious  fever,  in 
which  my  system  was  greatly  damaged.  Through  the  month 
of  August  i  did  not  preach  ;  but  resumed  my  labors  in  Sep- 
tember, and  was  enabled  to  preach  on  the  Sabbath,  though 
with  great  ditticulty,  till  the  latter  part  of  December,  when  a 
violent  cold  brought  on  a  severe  attack  of  acute  bronchitis, 
and  laid  me  by  from  preaching  for  three  months.  My  recov- 
ery from  this  attack  was  exceedingly  gradual,  so  mucli  so 
that  at  times  I  tliought  my  work  in  the  ministry  was  nearly 
closed. 

In  the  years  1837  and  1841  there  were  some  pleasant  mani- 
festations of  the  Holy  Spirit,  wliich  added  a  few  individuals 
to  the  church. 

About  the  year  1833  dates  the  waking  of  new  and  deter- 


48 

mined  interest  in  the  country  on  the  institution  of  Atneriean 
Slavery.  The  meeting  of  a  convention  in  Phihidelphia,  in 
December,  1833,  and  the  organization  then  of  the  American 
anti-slaver}'  society,  under  God,  set  in  motion  a  current  of 
events  the  end  of  which  is  not  yet.  My  own  mind  was  turned 
to  the  subject,  and  my  inquiries  soon  satisfied  me  that  a  great 
question  was  to  be  met  and  religiously  answered.  My  con- 
victions became  deep  that  the  watchmen  on  the  walls  of  Zion 
had  a  duty  to  perform.  Nov.  20,  1836,  I  preached  two  ser- 
mons on  the  subject.  One  from  Isa,  xxi,  12,  "On  the  duty 
of  investigating  important  subjects  "  ;  and  one  from  Heb.  xiii, 
3,  "  On  remembering  those  in  bonds  as  bound  with  them." 
The  following  Sabbath  I  preached  another  sermon  on  "  Scrip- 
tural servitude."  In  these  sermons  I  full}^  committed  myself 
as  a  Christian  and  a  Christian  minister  to  the  cause  of  human 
freedom  against  the  institution  of  slavery.  I  followed  up 
this  beginning  as  I  was  able,  and  felt  it  to  be  my  duty,  occa- 
sionally addressing  assendjlies  in  this  and  other  places  on  the 
subject  (with  the  favor  of  some  and  the  frowns  of  others). 

[Inserted  bj^  the  Compilers.] 

[At  one  period  in  this  struggle  there  were  more  who 
frowned  than  favored.  At  the  sale  of  the  seats  in  church  in 
1814  over  forty  who  had  been  accustomed  to  take  seats  re- 
fused to  do  so.  Deacon  W.  C.  Humphrey  took  most  of  these 
seats  in  his  own  name;  but  was  relieved  of  them  before  the 
end  of  the  year  by  those  who  ought  to  have  taken  them. 

In  November,  1814,  three  persons  in  Canton  Center,  Rev. 
Jairus  Burt,  Calvin  Case,  Sr,,  and  Deacon  W.  C.  Humphrey, 
voted  for  James  G.  Burney,  the  abolition  candidate. 

Many  interesting  anecdotes  are  related  of  Mr.  Burt's  firm 
statid  for  anti-slavery.  One,  which  I  recall,  is  often  told  by 
older  people,  AVhen  the  discussion  was  hottest,  meeting  after 
meeting  was  lield  by  the  people  to  compel  Mr.  Burt  to  resign 
or  modify  his  opinions  in  some  slight  degree;  but  he  stood 
tirm,  though  well  nigh  alone.  After  one  of  these  meetings, 
a  gentleman  said :  "  Mr.  Burt  is  like  his  own  son  Jairus;  you 
can't  make  him  pick  up  the  last  chip?''     When  Jairus  was  a 


49 

very  small  boy  lie  brought  in  a  basket  of  chips  and  threw 
them  on  the  floor.  His  father's  command  to  pick  them  up 
was  obeyed  until  he  came  to  the  last  one,  and  alternate  prayers 
and  whippings,  with  difficulty,  induced  him  to  complete  the 
task. 

During  tlie  progress  of  a  similar  meeting  some  members 
of  the  society  requested  Mr.  Burt  to  stop  praying  publicly 
for  the  slaves.  Mr.  Burt  replied :  "  I  cannot  promise  to  do 
that,  for  the  time  may  come  when  you  will  want  me  to  pray 
for  them."] 

The  struggle  was  hard  and  protracted.  A  new  element 
was  working  in  the  public  heart,  and  as  always  has  been  true 
since  man's  fall,  the  right  and  the  wrong  had  respectively 
their  advocates  and  opposers.  The  opposition  affected  to 
desj)ise  the  anti-slavery  movement  at  the  first  as  a  bubble  that 
would  break  and  pass  away ;  then  they  undertook  to  stop  dis- 
cussion, and  thus  prevent  agitation.  Meanwhile  the  friends 
of  freedom  were  everywhere  spoken  against.  But  tlie  work 
of  inquiry  went  on,  and  the  true  anti-slavery  cause  has  ad- 
vanced steadily  from  that  day  to  this.  Gag  laws  and  rules 
have  even  seemed  to  awaken  the  people  njore  and  more,  till 
it  begins  to  be  felt  that  the  people  are  the  masters  and  not 
the  slaves  of  the  unscrupulous  politicians. 

November,  1854,  the  discussion  is  everywhere,  in  Congress 
and  without. 

There  was  a  season  of  precious  religious  interest,  among  the 
youth  especiallj^  in  the  spring  of  1847,  after  a  long  winter  of 
anxiety  and  labor,  with  little  sympathy  and  aid  from  the 
menibers  of  the  church.  The  harvest,  if  not  large,  was  rich 
in  its  character.  In  1850  there  was  special  interest  again, 
and  a  few  were  added  to  the  church.  Thus  God  has  not  left 
us  to  utter  despair.  On  the  contrar}',  He  has  shown  His 
readiness  to  bless  His  church  and  j)eople  when  they  would 
•seek  Him,  according  to  His  word. 

The  year  1853  we  were  called  to  drink  most  deeply  of  the 
cup  of  affliction,  in  the  death  of  our  dearly-beloved  son  and 
onl}'  child.  He  died  in  Suffield,  Conn.,  at  the  home  of  his 
7 


50 

friends  and  ours,  Rev.  Daniel  Hemenway,  of  typhoid  fever, 
after  a  confinement  to  liis  bed  of  only  about  one  week,  Octo- 
ber 8tli.  His  remains  were  brought  to  Canton  the  Monday 
followino",  the  10th,  where  an  appropriate  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Cyrus  Yale  of  New  Hartford,  and  his  body  commit- 
ted to  the  dust,  the  home  appointed  for  all  living.  But  for 
the  sustaining  grace  of  God  in  this  bereavejncnt  we  must 
have  been  crushed.  [Mr.  Burt  was  wont  to  say,  "  It  comes 
over  me  like  an  avalanche."]  O  what  debtors  to  that  promise 
and  its  fulfillment,  "  My  grace  shall  be  sufficient  for  thee  !  " 
He  died  a  quarter  past  ten  Saturday  morning,  and  we  returned 
lonely  and  sad  to  our  desolated  home  to  await  the  arrival  of 
the  precious  dust,  and  be  ready  for  the  funeral  services  on 
the  following  Monday.  I  was  enabled  to  appear  before  the 
people  in  my  usual  place  on  the  Sabbath,  and  to  preach  both 
morning  and  afternoon.  I  preached  in  the  morning  from 
Ps.  xcix,  1,  "On  the  reign  of  God  ";  and  in  the  afternoon 
from  Job  ii,  10,  "  On  adversity  from  the  hand  of  God."  Our 
people  were  exceedingly  kind  and  sympathetic  in  the  expres- 
sion of  tlieir  feelings  and  their  sorrow  with  us.  Smitten,  wmj 
it  be  for  our  profit. 

185-1.  The  last  of  June,  though  feeble  from  the  effects  of 
a  severe  cold  and  consequent  fever,  I  fulfilled  an  appointment 
of  the  general  association  of  Connecticut  to  represent  that 
body  in  the  general  conference  of  Maine,  which  met  in  Ban- 
gor, June  27th.  Returning,  spent  the  fourth  of  July  in 
Boston,  and  the  fifth  reached  home,  decidedly  improved  in 
health  and  spirits. 

The  year  1854  was  distinguished  by  a  new  political  oi-gan- 
ization  (secret),  put  forth  to  work  in  sustaining  the  slavery 
and  rum  interests,  and  which  at  the  town  elections  in  Octo- 
ber had  the  control  of  this  town  completely.  Another  secret 
society. 

1855.  March  10.  I  am  this  day  three  score  years  old. 
Onward,  onward  I  go.  May  it  be  in  the  right  way  till  death. 
All  of  mortal  life  before  me  is  but  a  brief  moment.  May  it 
be  toward  the  land  of  the  blessed. 

1856.  January  6.     Sabbatli.      The  ordinary  worship  in 


61 

the  house  of  God  was  prevented  by  a  drifting  snow-storm  the 
last  evening  and  this  morning.  Expounded  Matt,  xiii,  3-9, 
and  had  a  season  of  prayer.  Communion  deferred,  and 
public  services  in  the  afternoon  omitted. 

January  13.  Great  storm  last  night,  which  continues  this 
morning,  snow  and  wind  filling  up  the  roads  to  impassable- 
ness.  Prospect,  we  shall  have  no  public  meeting  to-day. 
This  Sabbath  has  been  such  a  day  as  no  other  in  the  last 
twentv-nine  years.  The  state  of  the  roads  and  the  continu- 
ous storm  were  such  that  the  house  of  God  was  opened 
neither  morning  nor  afternoon.  The  Communion  service 
for  January  still  postponed,  of  course.  In  my  family,  at 
half-past  ten  o'clock,  we  sang  a  hymn,  prayed,  and  read  an 
exercise  in  "Primitive  Piety  Kevived,  or  Christian  Self- 
Denial  as  a  Present  Want  in  the  Churches." 

February  2.  N.  P.  Banks  of  Massachusetts,  was  chosen 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Pepresentatives  in  the  American 
Congress  after  a  two-months'  contest  with  the  supporters  of 
slavery  in  the  embodiments  of  the  Pierce  Democracy  and 
American  Know-Nothingism.     The  vote  stood  : 

Banks, -         103. 

Aiken,  South  Carolina,        -         -         -         100. 
Scattering,  -         -         -         -         -  10  or  11 

The  election,  by  agreement,  was  under  a  plurality  vote. 
May  it  be  a  true  index  of  freedom's  triumph,  and  a  beginning 
of  return  to  the  early  legislation  in  this  country. 

February  6.  Just  finished  reading  "Primitive  Piety 
Revived."  "  Truly  a  book  for  the  times. 

August.  The  session  of  Congress  closing  in  August  has 
been  one  of  the  most  intensely  exciting  and  important  in  our 
national  history.  The  election  of  speaker,  of  a  committee  to 
investigate  frauds  in  Kansas  elections,  disagreements  of  the 
two  houses,  violence  of  Brooks  on  Senator  Sumner,  and  other 
things,  are  waymarks  to  the  observer. 

August  24.  In  the  afternoon  preached  on  public  affairs, 
their  signs  and  our  duties,  from  Matt,  xvi,  3.  James 
Buchanan  of  Pennsylvania,  bei-ng  the  candidate  for  slavery 


62 

extension,  John  C.  Fremont  the  candidate  for  slavery  restric- 
tion. The  issue,  slavery  or  freedom;  the  battle-ground, 
Kansas. 

October  29.  Met  at  Unionville  in  council  called  for  the 
purpose,  and  dismissed  from  the  pastoral  charge  Rev. 
G.  M.  Porter. 

Nov.  4.  Presidential  election.  The  whole  number  of 
votes  cast  in  Canton,  469. 

Fremont,  republican,  -  -  -  -  268 
Buchanan,  democrat,  -  -  -  -  196 
Fillmore,      ------  5 

Fremont  over  Buchanan,  71 ;  over  all,  67.  Thank  God 
and  take  courage. 

[On  Mr.  Burt's  monument  is  carved  a  mantle  in  pursuance 
of  the  epitaph  on  Mr.  ILillock's  monument.  His  own  ejiitaph 
is  simply,  "  Faithful  unto  death."] 

Pev.  Warren  C.  Fiske. 

Mr.  Fiske  was  born  in  Wales,  Mass.,  formerly  a  part  of 
Brimiield,  September  21,  1816.  He  was  converted  when  a 
child  of  twelve  years.  He  fitted  for  college  at  Monson 
Academy,  Massachusetts,  graduated  from  Amherst  in  1810; 
taught  school  two  years  at  Salem,  IST.  J. ;  graduated  from  the 
Theological  Institute  of  Connecticut,  1815 ;  ordained  at  East 
Haddam,  Conn.,  May  19,  1817;  was  a  home  missionary  in 
Wisconsin  three  years,  under  the  Connecticut  Missionary 
Society.  His  wife's  health  failing,  he  returned  to-  the  East, 
and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in 
Marlboro,  Conn.,  where  he  remained  seven  years.  Then 
followed  his  pastorate  in  Canton,  at  the  close  of  which  he 
removed  to  East  Haddam  to  care  for  his  wife's  aged  parents, 
and  from  thence  to  Colchester,  Conn.,  to  educate  his  chil- 
dren. He  taught  for  a  time  in  Bacon  Academy.  While 
there  he  had  a  fit  of  sickness,  from  which  he  has  never  fully 
recovered. 

His  health  improving  somewhat,  he  again  preached,  first 
at  Burkhamsted,  Conn.,  nine  months;  and  afterwards  at 
Wolcott,  Conn.,  for  three  years.     Finding  parochial  cares  too 


63 

much  for  liis  strength,  he  retired  to  private  life,  and  Ijoiight 
a  small  farm  in  Charlton,  Mass.,  where  he  lived  quietly  and 
comfortahly  for  twelve  years.  Being  nnable  to  superintend  his 
farm  any  longer,  or  even  to  do  anything,  he  sold  and  moved 
to  Southington,  Conn.,  in  order  to  be  near  his  oldest  son,  a 
practicing  physician  in  that  place.  He  still  resides  in  South- 
ington, a  contirmed  invalid^  confined  mostly  to  his  house. 

He  married,  May  19,  ISiT,  Miss  Harriett  M.  Parsons  of 
East  Haddam,  Conn.,  a  daughter  of  Kev.  Isaac  Parsons, 
They  have  three  children — two  sons  and  one  daughter. 

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH  OF  REV. 
CHARLES  N.  LYMAN. 

I  was  born  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  May  M,  183.5.  My  parents' 
names  were  Diodate  Brock  way,  and  Eliza  Tribert  Lyman. 
When  I  was  about  three  years  old,  my  parents  moved  to  the 
old  homestead  in  Manchester,  Conn.,  where  the  days  of  my 
childhood  and  youth,  till  I  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age, 
were  spent.  My  experience  was  that  of  the  ordinary  farmer's 
boy  of  that  time,  accustomed  to  regular  work  in  cooperation 
with  other  members  of  the  family  for  the  common  good. 
The  generally  prevailing  influences  of  the  home  were  Chris- 
tian. My  grand  parents,  both  of  whom  lived  to  a  ripe  old 
ao;e,  were  in  the  line  of  descent  from  Plymouth  Rock,  and 
maintained  family  worship  till  my  own  parents  were  prepared 
to  take  up  that  duty. 

During  my  seventeenth  year,  the  Congregational  church  of 
Manchester  Center,  Conn.,  wnth  which  our  family  regularly 
worshipped,  was  blessed  with  a  revival  of  religion,  the  in- 
fluence of  which  was  felt  throughout  the  whole  townshi]),  and 
which  resulted  in  many  conversions  to  Christ.  Among  those 
converts,  both  of  m_y  parents,  a  brother  and  sister,  and  myself 
were  included.  For  several  years  before  that  time  my 
thoughts  had  been  directed  frequently  toward  the  Christian 
ministry  as  a  most  desirable  work  in  which  to  engage.  After 
my  conversion,  the  conviction  that  it  was  my  duty  to  prepare 
myself  for  that  work  was   deej)ly  impressed    upon   my  mind, 


64 

and,  liaving  made  known  my  feelings  to  my  pastor,  Rev. 
F.  T.  Perkins,  I  was  encouraged  to  undertake  the  work  of 
prej)aration.  Under  his  direction,  with  the  consent  of  my 
parents,  I  began  tlie  study  of  Latin,  and,  in  the  autumn  of 
1852,  entered  the  academ}^  at  Monson,  Mass.,  wliere  I 
remained  two  years,  entering  Yale  College  in  September, 
1854.  After  remaining  in  college  two  years,  chiefly  for 
pecuniary  reasons,  I  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  one  year, 
returning  to  college  September,  1857,  and  graduating  in  1859, 

Tlie  close  of  my  college  course,  in  spite  of  aid  furnished  by 
kind  friends,  and  such  sums  of  money  as  I  was  able  to  earn, 
found  a  considerable  indebtedness  resting  on  me  which  pre- 
vented my  entering  upon  theological  studies  at  once.  After 
graduating  at  college,  for  three  months  I  taught  the  Classics 
and  Mathematics  in  a  boys'  boarding  school,  at  Ellington, 
Conn. 

The  winter  of  1859  and  1860  was  spent  at  home,  in  a  sys- 
tematic course  of  reading  in  Theology.  In  the  spring  of 
1800,  I  entered  Yale  Theological  Seminary,  remaining  there 
till  February,  1862,  at  which  time,  having  been,  the  summer 
previous,  licensed  to  preach  by  the  New  Haven  Central  Asso- 
ciation of  Congregational  Ministers,  I  went  to  supply  the 
church  at  Canton  Center,  in  place  of  a  classmate  by  the  name 
of  Button,  then  somewhat  ill,  and  since  then  gone  to  his 
reward. 

It  was  a  wintry  evening  when,  a  stranger  in  a  strange  place, 
I  stepped  upon  the  platform  at  the  railroad  depot  at  Collins- 
ville.  The  first  salutation  I  heard  came  from  an  elderly  man, 
who  wished  to  know  if  I  were  "  New  Haven  Theology." 
Upon  being  assured  that  1  w^as  a  small  part  of  it,  he  replied 
that  I  was  the  "  verj^  man  he  washed  to  see."  I  was  soon 
seated  in  a  sleigh  with  "  Uncle  Simeon  Mills,"  who,  with  his 
dun-colored  horse,  whose  neck  was  adorned  with  a  "  string  " 
of  musical  bells,  gave  me  an  interesting  sleigh-ride,  while  he 
related  to  me  many  things  concerning  the  History  of  Cherry 
Brook,  Father  Hallock,  and  the  kind  of  Theology  he  used  to 
hear  preached  in  his  youth,  which  he  still  believed,  includ- 
ino;  "the  lost  condition  of  '  non-elect  infants.'  " 


65 

My  iirst  night  in  Canton  was  spent  beneath  the  hosi)itable 
roof  of  Esquire  Ilallock,  whose  stately  dio-nity  greatly  im- 
pressed nie,  and  in  whose  devoted  Christian  wife  I  became 
deeply  interested.  I  learned  shortly  to  esteem  higlily  her 
constant  prayer  for  her  pastor. 

That  first  Sunday  in  that  high  mahogany  pulpit  was  a  trial 
indeed  to  the  young  preacher,  if  not  to  the  assembled 
congregation. 

Much  to  my  surprise,  on  the  evening  of  that  day,  a  commit- 
tee waited  on  me,  and  asked  that  I  supply  them  for  six  weeks, 
with  a  possibility  of  a  six-months'  engiigement  if  all  should  go 
well.  Acting  upon  the  advice  of  trusted  friends,  among 
whom  was  Professor,  afterward  President,  Porter  of  Yale 
College,  though  my  Theological  studies  were  incomplete,  I 
accepted  the  invitation,  entered  upon  the  work  with  much 
self-distrust,  continued  M'ith  the  people  six  months,  and  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor,  October,  1862,  Prof.  George  P. 
Fisher  of  Yale  Theological  Seminary  preaching  the  sermon. 

The  work  thus  begun  was  attended  by  peculiar  difficulties 
owing  to  most  unfortunate  divisions  among  the  members  of 
the  church  and  congregation.  Also,  the  country  was  in  the 
midst  of  the  excitenients  attending  the  progress  of  the  great 
Civil  War.  But  by  the  good  favor  of  God,  divisions  were 
healed,  harmony  promoted,  and  revival  influences  felt.  The 
history  of  those  flrst  months  can  be,  at  least,  partly  learned 
from  the  church  records. 

In  October,  1863,  I  was  married  to  Miss  Eveline  Upson, 
daughter  of  Russell  and  Emeline  Tnttle  Upson  of  New^ 
Haven,  Conn. 

In  September,  1864,  in  obedience  to  what  seemed  the  call 
of  duty,  my  pastorate  was  resigned  that  I  might  enlist  into  the 
Union  army.  The  people  refused  to  accept  the  resignation 
but  voted  a  leave  of  absence  for  one  year.  Immediately  I 
enlisted  as  private  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment,  Connecticut 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  sent  to  the  post  at  Fair  Haven, 
Conn.,  where  I  was  detailed  to  do  chaplain  duty,  till  a  few 
weeks  later,  an  unsolicited  conniiission  as  chaplain  of  the 
Twentieth  Connecticut  Yolunteer   Infantry,    was   sent   me, 


56 

with  orders  to  report  at  once  for  duty  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  where 
the  reojiment  was  then  to  be  found.  Soon  as  needed  arrange- 
nients  couhl  made,  I  started  for  m^'  destination,  but  was 
detained  on  duty  for  a  while  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  and  after- 
wards at  Nashville,  where  I  Avas  a  witness  of  the  battle  which 
resulted  in  the  disastrous  defeat  of  Gen.  Hood.  After  doing 
duty  for  a  short  time  longer  in  Northern  Alabama,  and  again 
at  Chatanooga,  permission  was  given  to  join  my  regiment, 
then  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  to  which  place  I  at  once  proceeded, 
marching  with  Gen.  Sherman's  army  across  the  Carolinas, 
participating  in  the  bsittles  of  Averysburg  and  Bentonville, 
N.  C.  Was  at  Raleigh,  N.  C,  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Lincoln's 
assassination  and  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Johnston's  army  ; 
marched  with  the  Union  army  to  Washington,  via  Richmond 
and  the  historic  battle-fields  of  Virginia ;  was  present  at  the 
grand  review  at  Washington  ;  was  mustei'ed  out  of  the  mili- 
tary service  in  Jnly,  1865,  and  soon  took  up  the  work  anew 
at  Canton  Center.  The  history"  of  my  remaining  pastorate 
can  be  learned  from  the  church  records,  and  from  many  per- 
sons who  were  then  actively  engaged  in  the  work  of  Christ, 
and  who  still  live  to  honor  His  cause. 

October  1,  1868,  with  mutual  regrets,  the  pastoral  relation 
wuth  the  church  was  dissolved  that  I  might  engage  in  Home 
Missionarj^  work  in  Western  Iowa.  Immediately  after  my 
dismissal  I  came  to  Dunlap,  Iowa,  where  I  remained  till 
January  1,  1871,  since  which  time  I  have  been  laboring  at 
Onawa,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  and  the  countr}^  about. 
During  six  years  of  this  time  I  was  co-superintendent  of 
public  schools.  I  have  been  identified,  to  considerable  extent, 
with  the  Home  Missionary  work  of  this  part  of  Iowa,  but  of 
my  work  others  may  more  properly  write. 

I  prefer  not  to  write  of  interesting  incidents  connected 
with  my  work  at  Canton  Center,  for  it  cannot  be  done  with- 
out a  seeming  egotism.  It'  was  a  pleasant  pastorate.  The 
friendships  of  those  days  were  exceedingly  precions  and  are 
still  cherished  fondly.  The  people  were  kind  and  considerate 
in  their  treatment  of  me,  unusually  patient  under  my  imper- 
fect ministrations  and    mistakes.     While  I    write  my  heart 


67 

goes  out  in  strong  and  warm  affection  for  them.  The  people  — 
all  of  them  —  we  esteemed  as  personal  friends,  and  as  we  were 
called  to  bury  them  —  a  long  list  —  including  such  persons 
as  Esquire  Hallock  and  his  wife,  Henrj'  Barber  and  wife, 
Deacon  Ilosford,  and  Deacon  Fuote,  and  Ephraim  Mills,  and 
Simeon  Mills,  and  Selden  White,  and  Orange  Case,  and  Dr. 
Griswold,  and  manj^  more,  old  and  young,  it  seemed  as  though 
I  was  saying  words  over  the  graves  of  members  of  my  own 

household. 

C.  N.  Lyman. 
Onawa,  Iowa,  September  14,  1886. 

Rev.  David  B.  Hubbard. 

He  was  born  in  Higganum,  Conn.,  April  30,  1847.  His 
parents  were  Christians,  and  dedicated  him  to  God  in  infancy 
by  baptism,  giving  him  the  name  of  David  Brainerd.  His 
mother  was  a  Brainerd,  daughter  of  Capt.  Daniel  Brainerd 
of  Higganum,  Conn.,  and  most  directly  connected  with  the 
missionary,  Rev.  David  Brainerd.  Consequently,  she  named 
her  onl}'  son  after  him.  She  died  when  her  child  was  only 
two  and  one-half  years  old. 

After  attending  a  common  school  for  a  time,  Mr.  Hubbard 
went  to  Meriden  Academj^,  and  afterward  to  Wilbraham 
Academy,  Mass.  Subsequently  he  was  under  private  in- 
struction for  a  year  in  Middletown,  and  then  studied  one 
year  in  Wesley  an  Universit}'.  He  then  entered  Hartford 
Theological  Seminary,  and  graduated  June,  1872. 

He  describes  his  religious  experience  as  follows: — 

"  I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed  since  the  Fall  of  1866, 
when  at  school  in  Wilbraham,  I  do  not  remember  the  time 
when  I  did  not  have  profound  respect  for  the  religion  of 
Christ ;  but  there  was  no  fixed  purpose  on  my  part  to  lead  a 
Christian  life  until  the  time  I  mention.  Since  then  it  has 
been  religion  from  principle  rather  than  feeling.  I  have  not 
been  one  of  those  joyful  creatures  many  seem  to  be;  but  I 
have  alwa3's  felt  that  it  was  the  Lord's  business  to  give  the 
feeling,  and  mine  to  strive  to  know  and  do  His  will.     I  feel 

8 


68 

like  making  the  words  of  the  Psahnist  with  regard  to  Israel 
personal  in  their  application :  '  Many  a  time  have  the_y 
alflicted  me  from  my  yonth,  may  Israel  now  say ;  many  a 
time  have  they  afflicted  me  from  my  youth ;  yet  they  have 
not  prevailed  against  me.'  Also  his  words  of  hope  in  prayer. 
'  I  wait  for  the  Lord,  my  soul  doth  wait,  and  in  His  word  do 
I  hope.' " 

I  During  his  senior  year  in  the  Seminary  he  supplied  the 
Congregational  pulpit  in  Stafford ville,  and  remained  with 
them  after  graduation  till  the  Fall  of  1873,  when  he  received 
a  call  to  become  pastor  of  the  church  in  Canton  Center,  hav- 
ing supplied  the  pulpit  there  two  Sabbaths.  This  he  declined 
because  of  insufficient  acquaintance  with  the  people.  As 
their  request  was  repeated,  he  finally  consented  to  become 
acting  pastor  for  one  year,  with  a  view  to  settlement.  In 
January,  1874,  he  moved  into  the  house  now  occupied  by 
Mrs.  Shepard,  and  began  to  supply  the  pulpit  February  1st. 
When  the  repairs  on  the  church  edilice  were  finished,  the 
church  and  society  unanimously  called  him  to  settle  as  pastor, 
giving  him  a  salary  of  $1,300,  and  re-dedication  and  installa- 
tion services  were  held  respectively  in  the  morning  and  after- 
noon of  November  19,  1874. 

A  few  days  before  these  services  he  moved,  with  his  familj', 
into  the  house  left  to  the  society  by  Mrs.  Linda  Hosford. 
This  had  been  the  home  of  three  preceding  pastors,  Mr.  Hal- 
lock,  Mr.  Burt,  and  Mr.  Fiske.  Now  for  the  first  time  it 
came  into  the  hands  of  the  society  as  a  ])arsonage. 

At  the  funeral  of  a  young  wife,  in  the  summer  of  1875, 
Mr.  Hubbard  addressed  the  husband:  "For  you,  my  dear 
brother,  I  have  heartfelt  sympathy  as  I  see  you  thus  sorely 
bereaved,  yet  I  know  little  of  your  sorrow."  Less  than  a  year 
later  God  taught  him  much  of  that  very  sorrow.  His  family 
consisted,  at  this  time,  of  a  wife  and  three  girls,  one  four 
.years,  another  two  years,  and  a  tliird  three  days  old.  Scarlet 
fever,  in  its  worst  possible  form,  seized  the  mother  and  two 
older  children.  The  eldest,  Emma  Brainerd,  went  into  con- 
vulsions, from  which  she  never  recovered  consciousness,  and 
died  March  6,  1876.     She  was  buried  in  Higganum,  Conn. 


59 

In  two  weeks  more  her  mother,  Ilattie  E.,  was  laid  beside 
her.  Once  more  the  grief-stricken  fatlier  liurried  home  to 
await,  as  lie  expected,  the  death  of  another  child.  13ut  God 
was  kind,  and  after  weeks  of  anxiety  and  care  slie  crept  back 
to  health,  and  still  lives. 

Mr,  Ilnbbard's  famil)^  was  now  broken  up.  He  boarded 
with  Deacon  W.  C.  Ilnmjjhrej,  and  his  tw^o  children  were 
cared  for  in  other  places. 

When  the  new  parsonage  was  completed,  Mr.  Hubbard 
moved  into  it,  having  married  Alice  R.  Burr,  a  3'onnger  sister 
of  his  first  wife.  Their  first  child,  Joseph  B.,  died  of  cerebro- 
spinal meningitis,  June  26, 1S79,  aged  twenty  months.  Many 
other  times  have  sickness  and  sutt'ering  visited  them. 
"  Through  all  these  seasons,"  Mr.  Hubbard  says,  "  the  people 
of  Canton  Center  aftbrded  us  sympathy  and  help  which  can 
never  be  forgotten." 

In  November,  1884,  Mr.  Hubbard  resigned  his  pastorate. 
The  church  refused  to  accept  his  resignation  by  a  large  ma- 
jority; but  he  insisted,  and  the  matter  was  referred  to  a  coun- 
cil, which  dismissed  him  February  1,  1885.  After  some 
months  he  became  acting  pastor  for  the  third  church  in  Mid- 
dletown.  Conn.,  where  he  is  now  laboring. 

During  his  eleven  years'  stay  in  Canton  Center,  seven  of 
his  discourses  were  published  by  request  in  pam])hlet  form. 
These  are,  dedicatory  discourse,  sermon  after  installation, 
four  funeral  discourses,  and  farewell  discourse. 

While  Mr.  Hubbard  was  here  he  won  the  esteem  of  his 
parishioners,  especially  of  the  young,  for  whom  he  labored 
zealously.  Thej^  did  not  fail,  on  their  part,  to  show  their 
appreciation  of  his  interest.  Mr.  Hubbard's  appropriate 
words  of  consolation  when  we  laid  in  the  grave  our  loved 
ones,  will  long  be  remembered  by  those  of  us  wlio  were  be- 
reaved during  his  pastorate. 

A  goodly  number  of  additions  were  made  to  the  church 
under  his  care ;  and  there  were  more  members  on  record  when 
he  left  than  when  he  came,  although  death  and  removal  had 
made  sad  havoc  in  the  ranks  of  the  church. 


60 

THE  SABBATH  SCHOOL. 

The  Sabbatli-school  was  organized  in  1819,  under  the  name 
of  "  A  Sabbath-school  Society."  The  Ecclesiastical  Society 
was  invited  to  co-operate. 

For  the  first  twenty-one  years  no  records  were  kept.  In 
1840,  wdien  the  records  begin,  the  School  was  reorganized, 
and  Lancel  Foote  chosen  superintendent.  He  was  also  the 
first  superintendent  in  1819,  bnt  how  long  he  held  the  office 
is  not  known.  The  other  superintendents,  in  the  order  of 
their  election  and  the  length  of  time  they  served,  are  as 
follows : 

1841,  Alanson  Andrus  ;  1812,  Deacon  Lancel  Foote;  1843, 
Warren  C.  Humphrey ;  1844,  Deacon  Uriah  Hosford  ;  1845, 
Averitt  Wilcox  ;  1846  and  '47,  Elijah  Whiting;  1,848,  Alanson 
Andrus  ;  1849  and  '50,  Ezekiel  Hosford  ;  1851  and  '52,  Frank- 
lin E.  Perry ;  1853,  William  E.  Brown  ;  1854-'55-'56-'57- 
'58,  Seymour  D.Moses;  1859-'60- 61,  John  Brown;  1862- 
'63-'64,  Edward  P.  Barbour ;  1865-'66-'6T,  Oliver  H.  Bid- 
well  ;  1868-'69-'70,  Gaylord  Barbour;  1871-'72-'73-'74-'75- 
'76-'77,  Oliver  H.  Bidw^ell ;  1878,  Anson  M.  Case ;  1879-'80- 
'81-'S2,  Kev.  D.  B.  Hubbard  ;  1883-'84-'85-'86,  Oliver  H. 
Bidwell. 

Thus  it  appears  that  for  sixty-seven  years  the  Sabbath- 
school  has  been  in  operation,  quietly  yet  effectively  doing  its 
work,  an  invaluable  helper  of  the  family  and  the  church  in 
the  religious  training  of  the  young.  How  much  this  school 
has  done,  through  the  lidelity  of  its  officers  and  teachers,  to 
lay  the  foundations  of  Christian  character  and  useful  lives 
will  never  be  fully  known  in  this  world.  It  is  coming  more 
and  more  to  be  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  strong  arms  of  the 
Church  for  the  salvation  of  the  young  among  us  and  every- 
where. The  numbers  in  attendance  have  fluctuated  with  the 
tides  of  religious  feeling  in  the  connnunity,  sometimes  rising 
above  three  hundred,  and  sometimes  falling  below  two  hun- 
dred. At  the  present  time  the  School  is  vigorous  and  ener- 
getic in  its  work,  and  in  connection  wdth  the  recently  formed 
Society  of  Cliristian  Endeavor  is  doing  much  for  the  moral 
and  religious  training  of  our  young  people. 


61 


SKETCHES  OF  THE  DEACONS. 

Deacon  Joseph  Mills. —  The  first  deacon  of  tliis  clinrcli. 
Says  the  Eev.  Mr.  Ilallock  :  "Deacon  Mills  Mas  a  principal 
pillar  in  this  chui'ch  and  society  for  many  years.  lie  was 
sound  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  a  bright  example  of  Gos- 
pel practice.  His  fourteen  children,  ten  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, all  lived  to  grow  up  and  to  settle  in  the  family  State. 
Twelve  became  professors  of  religion,  and  five  of  the  sons 
sustained  the  ofiice  of  deacon."  Other  deacons  up  to  1815, 
in  the  order  of  their  election,  were :  Ephraim  Wilcox,  Oliver 
Humphrey,  who  served  about  twenty  years,  Abraham  Case, 
Moses  Case,  Thomas  Bidwell. 

Of  them  Mr.  Hallock  says:  "All  these  men  were  worthy 
officers  in  the  church,  sound  in  the  faith,  and  of  good  report; 
and  we  have  no  reason  to  doubt  but  that  they  are  now  resting 
from  their  labors  with  Jesus  in  glory." 

Deacon  Benjamin  Mills. —  The  son  of  Deacon  Joseph  Mills. 
He  was  poor  in  this  world's  goods,  and  a  good  example  of 
the  words  of  the  Psalmist:  "Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  be- 
hold the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace."  "He 
was  captain  during  most  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  but  never 
received  anything  for  his  time  and  sufi^ering  in  the  American 
cause.  The  last  jears  of  his  life  he  became  quite  deaf,  and 
his  tottering  form  was  permitted  to  ascend  the  pulpit,  always 
standing  in  prayer  by  the  side  of  the  venerable  Hallock." 

Deacon  Iheophilus  Humphrey.  —  An  influential  citizen,  a 
man  of  great  energy  and  activity,  and  of  small  stature.  At 
the  age  of  seventy-five  years  he  could  climb  the  hills  and 
mountains  of  his  neighborhood  as  actively  as  most  young 
men. 

The  oldest  son  of  Deacon  Theophilus  was  James,  who  was 
town  clerk  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  twenty-four  years. 
He  represented  the  town  of  Simsbury  in  the  Legislature  once 
and  the  town  of  Canton  eight  times. 

He  was  a  fine  singer,  and  devoted  much  of  his  time  in 
the  winter  to  the  oivino;  of  instruction  in  vocal  music. 

Deacon  Solomon  Everest.  —  He  served  the  church  as  a  deacon 
for  twenty  years.     He  was  well  read  in  theology,  and  adhered 


62 

firmly  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  as  commonly  held  by 
Protestant  churches.  He  was  greatly  esteemed  as  a  man  and 
as  a  Christian. 

Deacon  Alvin  Humphrey.  —  Son  of  Deacon  Theophiliis 
Plumphrey.  A  man  of  eminent  piety,  and  exerted  a  great 
influence  in  the  town  and  church.  lie  tilled  many  places  of 
trust  and  honor,  Representative  from  Canton  to  the  General 
Assembly,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  captain  of  the  militia. 
Died  February  26,  1S4T,  aged  77.  He  lived  a  long  distance 
from  the  church.  The  road  was  hilly  and  hard  ;  but  his 
place  in  church  and  prayer-meeting  was  seldom  vacant. 

Deacon  Jesse  Case.  —  Father  of  Newton  Case,  Esq.,  of 
Hartford.  He,  too,  lived  a  long  distance  from  the  church,  in 
the  northeast  part  of  the  town  ;  but  was  constant  in  his  at- 
tendance upon  public  worship  and  social  meetings. 

Deacon  Uriah  Hosford. —  A  man  of  devoted  piety,  and  a 
great  lover  of  the  church  of  Christ.  "He  being  dead  yet 
speaketh." 

Deacon  Elisha  Sugden.  —  Served  only  a  short  time,  re- 
moved to  Hartford,  and  died  there  in  1843. 

Deacon  Lancel  Foote. —  Filled  the  office  of  deacon  for  more 
than  twenty-five  years.  He  held  many  town  offices,  judge  of 
probate,  assessor,  selectman,  town  treasurer,  town  clerk,  jus- 
tice of  the  peace.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  State 
Legislature  in  1833-4 ;  was  school  visitor  and  examiner,  and 
county  surveyor,  treasurer  of  the  Everest  Fund.  He  had  the 
confidence  of  the  public,  and  labored  for  the  good  of  the 
community. 

Deacon  Warren  G.  FTumphrey. — Not  at  present  in  active 
service.  The  following  is  taken  from  the  Huniphrej^  Geneal- 
ogy. "Mr.  Humphrey  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  Anti- 
slavery  movement,  and  was  a  member  of  the  first  Anti-slavery 
Convention  held  in  Hartford  in  the  winter  of  1835  and  '36, 
when  the  members  were  driven  from  the  city  hall  and  com- 
pelled to  take  private  quarters.  This  was  soon  after  the  mur- 
der of  Mr.  E.  P.  Lovejoy  in  Alton,  lib,  wdiose  brother  addressed 
the  convention.  For  several  years  Mr.  Humphrey  was  the 
youngest  man  in  Hartford  County  who  was  identified  witli 


63 

tliis  c'au>e,  and  was  one  of  three  who  first  voted  the  Anti- 
slaverv  ticket  in  Canton.  He  was  the  Last  candidate  of  tlie 
Free-soil  party  for  senator  of  the  third  district  in  Connecticnt, 
before  the  organization  of  tlie  Republican  part}'.  He  has 
twice  represented  his  town  in  the  State  Legislature,  in  1859 
and  18T2,  and  has  held  minor  offices  continuously  ;  was  sev- 
eral years  justice  of  the  peace,  until  he  declined  the  a]ipoint- 
nient.  Mr.  Humphrey  has  been  for  many  years  a  well-known 
vocalist  and  music  teacher  ;  has  been  a  member  of  the  Con- 
irreo-ational  Church  in  Canton  Centre  for  fortv-nine  years :  a 
deacon  in  the  church  for  twenty-five  years ;  a  member  of  the 
choir  for  sixty-two  years,  serving  as  chorister  forty  years, 
having  been  chosen  to  that  position  at  the  age  of  eighteen. 
Though  now  advanced  in  life,  he  is  a  regular  attendant  upon 
church  services,  and  deeply  interested  in  all  matters  pertain- 
intr  to  the  welfare  of  man  and  the  interests  of  Christ's 
kingdom." 

Deacon  Gideon  Milo  Case.  —  Grandson  of  Deacon  Jesse 
Case.  A  man  whose  quiet.  Christian  character  adorned  his 
otfice.  He  went  to  California  for  his  health,  and  died  there 
February  10,  1875. 

Deacon  William  G.  Ballock.  —  In  April,  1871,  Mr.  Hallock 
was  elected  deacon  in  place  of  Deacon  Gideon  M.  Case,  who 
had  removed  from  town.  He  accepted  the  office,  but  soon 
after  resigned. 

Deacon  Archibald  L.  Mdls. —  Served  acceptably  and  faith- 
fully until  his  term  of  office  expired. 

Deacon  Oliver  H.  Bidwell. —  Has  always  been  a  liberal  sup- 
porter of  the  church.  For  many  years  superintendent  of  the 
Sabbath-sciiool,  and  still  holds  that  position.  Has  done  much 
to  aid  singing,  both  in  the  choir  and  among  the  children  and 
youth. 

Deacon  George  W.  Lamphier. —  Moved  from  Goshen,  Conn,, 
to  Canton  about  twenty  years  ago.  Although  a  Baptist  by 
education  and  preference,  he  at  once  identified  himself  with 
the  interests  of  the  church,  and  in  1881  he,  together  with  his 
wife,  united  with  the  church,  and  was  soon  after  elected 
deacon. 


64 

Deacons  Bidwell  and  Lamphier  are  the  present  acting  dea- 
cons of  the  church. 


In  1857  Deacon  Lancel  Foote  was  chosen  clerk  of  the 
church,  and  continued  in  that  office  until  1860,  when  William 
E.  Brown  was  appointed  in  his  place,  and  still  (188G)  holds 
the  position. 

SKETCHES  OF  MINISTERS  BORN  IN  CANTON. 

Rev.  Heman  Hum'plin.y ^  D.D.  —  The  son  of  Solomon  Ilum- 
plirey,  was  born  in  1779.  His  parents  were  of  Puritan  stock. 
His  home  was  Christian.  His  mother  was  the  daughter  of 
Capt.  John  Brown,  the  grandfather  of  John  Brown,  the 
martyr.  While  he  was  in  prison,  awaiting  his  execution, 
Dr.  Heman  Humphrey  and  his  brother  Luther  addressed  him 
letters  of  sympathy,  to  which  he  gave  characteristic  replies, 
which  were  lately  published  in  the  Humphrey  genealogy. 

The  bo^yhood  of  Heman  was  spent  alternately  on  the  farm 
and  in  the  district  school-house.  During  one  summer  he 
lived  in  the  family  of  Gov.  Treadwell  of  Farmington,  Conn. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began  to  teach  school. 

When  he  was  twenty  years  old  he  frequently  listened  to 
the  preaching  of  Dr.  Griffin,  then  settled  at  New  Hartford, 
which  so  deeply  impressed  him  as  to  mark  what  he  believed 
to  be  the  beginnino-  of  his  Christian  life.  He  soon  felt  an 
earnest  desire  to  become  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  He  was 
encouraged  by  his  pastor,  and  in  1803  entered  the  Junior 
class  of  Y  ale  College,  and  was  graduated  1805.  He  imme- 
diately began  the  study  of  Theology  with  Rev.  Asaliel 
Hooker  of  Goshen,  Conn.  In  1806,  he  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Litchfield  North  Association.  He  preached 
his  first  sermon  in  Cornwall,  Conn.,  and  a  few  weeks  after 
was  invited  to  preach  as  a  candidate  in  Fairfield,  Conn., 
which  resulted  in  his  settlement  as  pastor  of  that  church  in 
1807.  During  the  ten  years  of  his  pastorate  in  Fairfield,  liis 
labors  were  incessant  and  successful.  In  1808,  he  married 
Sophia,  daughter  of  Deacon  Noah  Porter  of  Farmington,  sister 
of  Dr.    Noah    Porter,  pastor  of  the    church    in    that  })lace. 


65 

While  in  Fairfield  the  temjjerance  movement  began,  and  he 
assisted  to  organize  what  was  called  the  "  Connecticut  Moral 
Society,"  the  object  of  which  was  to  promote  good  morals, 
the  better  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  and  to  check  the  evils 
of  intemperance.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  great 
movement.  In  1811-12,  he  preached  several  sermons  on  the 
subject,  characterized  by  strong  arguments,  glowing  appeals, 
and  fervid  eloquence.  He  was  instrumental  in  the  passage 
of  a  resolution  by  the  Fairfield  West  Association,  prohibiting 
the  use  of  spirituous  liquors  by  that  body,  and  in  securing  the 
pledge  of  its  members  to  discourage  their  use  and  sale. 

In  ISIT,  he  was  settled  in  Pittsfield,  Mass.  His  labors 
here  were  attended  with  powerful  revivals.  He  remained 
till  1823,  when  he  became  President  of  Amherst  College. 
After  filling  this  office  with  signal  success  for  twenty-two 
years,  he  retired  and  removed  to  Pittsfield,  where  lie  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life.     He  died  April  3,  1861. 

His  publications  were  many  and  varied  ;  his  work  strong 
and  abiding.  Well  may  the  town  that  gave  birth  to  such  a 
man  cherish  his  memory  with  honest  pride. 

Rev.  Luther  Humphrey.  —  Brother  of  Heman  Humphrey, 
was  born  in  1783,  died  May,  1871. 

He  was  graduated  at  Middlebury  College,  Vt.,  in  1813, 
and  ordained  the  following  year  as  a  missionary  to  Western 
Reserv^e,  Ohio.  He  was  installed  in  Burton,  Ohio,  and  soon 
began  housekeeping  with  his  wife  and  younger  sister. 
"  They  settled  in  a  '  hired  log-liouse  ;  borrowed  two  chairs, 
made  three  stools,  ate  upon  a  chest,  slept  on  the  floor,  and 
were  truly  happy.'  " 

After  laboring  here  thirteen  years,  he  was  called  to  a  pas- 
torate in  Connecticut,  where  he  remained  two  years.  Later 
he  removed  to  Michigan,  and  resumed  missionarj'  work.  He 
resided  in  Windham,  Ohio,  at  the  time  of  his  death.  "He 
was  a  glorious  type  of  the  iimerican  pioneer  clergyman,  and 
a  noble  example  of  Christian  zeal,  benevolence,  and  faith.'" 

Rev.  Hector  Humphreys,  D.D.  —  Was  born  June  8,  1707. 
He  |)ursued  the  study  of  Latin  in  his  native  village,  and  coni- 

9 


66 

pleted  his  preparatory  course  in  Winsted  and  Westfield,  He 
was  graduated  from  Yale  in  1818  with  the  highest  honors. 
While  in  college  he  united  with  the  Congregational  Church 
under  the  charge  of  Dr.  and  President  Timothy  Dwight. 
After  graduation  he  decided  to  become  a  lawyer.  He  studied 
for  two  years,  and  entered  upon  a  promising  practice.  At 
this  time  his  attention  was  turned  to  theological  studies  in 
connection  with  the  Episcopacy.  In  182-1,  he  was  confirmed 
in  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  and  admitted  to  the  order  of 
deacon. 

From  1825-31,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Faculty  of  Trinity 
College,  at  Hartford,  and  also  rector  of  a  church  in  Glaston- 
bury. When  scarcely  thirty-four,  he  was  chosen  President  of 
St.  John's  College,  Annapolis,  Md.  "  From  that  time  until 
his  death,  January  25,  1857,  in  St.  John's  College,  a  period 
of  twenty-six  years, —  his  name  and  fame,  his  talents  and 
energies,  are  identified  with  the  history  and  progress  of  St. 
John's,  and  have  worked  out  for  him  a  monument  more  en- 
during than  marble,  more  noble  than  'sculptured  urn,  or 
animated  bust.' " 

Through  his  influence  and  efi:brts  he  built  up  the  library, 
collected  physical  apparatus  and  a  valuable  cabinet,  and 
created  the  laboratory. 

To  his  chair  belonged  Moral  Science;  but  he  taught  many 
other  studies,  including  some  very  remote,  as  animal  and 
vegetable  physiology.  He  gave  instruction,  also,  at  difterent 
times  in  nearly  all  the  other  branches  taught  in  the  college. 
In  addition  to  this  work  he  carefully  prepared  lectures  in  the 
studies  belonging  to  him,  and  frequently  preached  in  the 
neighboring  Episcopal  churches. 

Owing  to  his  extreme  self-renunciation,  very  few  of  his 
writings  have  appeared  in  print.  On  this  account  most  of 
his  best  work  lies  buried  from  the  world.  '*  Disdaining  all 
mere  sham,  he  aimed  only  at  the  real  and  the  true.  Imitat- 
ing the  pi-ocesses  of  nature,  that  seeks  by  gradual  accretion 
to  build  up  her  most  enduring  monuments,  he  was  content 
with  the  patient,  faithful  discharge  of  every-day  duty,  adding 
line   to  line   and  prece})t   to  precept,  trusting  to  time  and  to 


67 

results  to  prove  tlie  excellence  of  his  work."  Judged  by 
liis  ])ic,ture  alone,  one  would  say  lie  was  a  man  of  solid  rather 
than  showy  intellectual  attainments.  He  was  a  genial  friend, 
a  frank  and  sincere  man,  and  a  ])atriotic  citizen. 

Rev.  Francis  Hiram  Case.  —  He  was  born  in  October,  1797, 
and  was  graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1822,  and  studied 
Theology  at  the  Yale  Divinity  Seliool.  He  was  settled  as 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Churcli  in  Goshen,  Conn.,  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1826,  and  dismissed  September  30,  1828.  In  1830, 
December  22d,  he  was  installed  over  the  church  in  Avon, 
Conn.,  and  was  dismissed  April  28,  1810.  In  1812,  he  went 
to  Whitewater,  Wis.,  and  for  two  years  was  pastor  of  the  Con- 
gregational Churcli  of  that  place.  Soon  after  he  returned  to 
his  native  town,  where  he  resided  several  years  without  charge, 
and  finally  returned  to  the  West,  and  died  at  Cold  Spring, 
Wis.,  December  20,  1872. 

Rev.  Sidney  Mills. —  Born  March,  1799.  He  was  educated 
at  Phillips  Academy  and  Theological  Seminar}^,  Andover, 
Mass.  He  first  kept  a  boarding-school  in  Goshen,  Conn.,  and 
afterwards  was  ordained  as  a  missionary  to  New  York.  He 
settled  in  Smyrna,  and  from  there  went  to  Otisco,  and  thence 
to  Lawreiiceville,  Penn.,  where  he  kept  a  boarding-school 
until  his  health  failed.  Then  he  removed  to  Clifton,  Ya., 
and  lived  with  a  married  daughter  till  his  death,  March,  1874. 

Rev.  Chester  Humphrey. —  Born  October,  1802.  Was  grad- 
uated at  Amherst  College,  1828.  He  was  settled  over  the 
Congregational  Church  in  Yernon,  Conn.,  and  died  in  his 
pastorate,  1843. 

He  was  a  man  of  devoted  piety.  The  following  incident  is 
related  of  him  while  residing  in  Canton.  One  day  he  visited 
a  poor  woman  for  whose  salvation  he  had.  been  deeply  inter- 
ested, and  told  her  how  he  felt.  Slie  was  so  impressed  by  the 
fact  that  Mr.  Humphrey  was  interested  in  her  salvation  that 
she  could  not  get  rid  of  the  feeling  that  she  ought  herself  to 
be  interested,  and  was  soon  converted. 

Rev.  Luther  H.  Barbour. —  Born  1815.  Was  graduated  at 
Amherst  Colleo;e,  1839,  and  at  Hartford  Theoloirical  Semi- 


68 

nary,  1842.  He  was  ordained  at  Rivertoii,  Conn.,  1842,  and 
remained  there  till  1861.  Was  pastor  at  Scotland,  Conn., 
1862-1869.  Was  acting  pastor  at  Hanover,  Conn.,  from 
1869-1878.  He  became  acting  pastor  at  Bolton,  Conn.,  1878, 
where  he  still  remains  in  active  service.  He  married  Miss 
Liicinda  Taylor  of  Canton,  Angnst  28,  1842. 

Rev.  Edmund  Y.  G arreite. —  Vyovw  in  New  Hartford,  1823; 
bnt  a  member  of  the  church  in  Canton  Center.  He  was 
graduated  at  Amherst  College  in  185(),  and  he  took  a  partial 
course  at  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Connecticut,  and  grad- 
uated at  Andover  in  1853.  He  was  ordained  pastor  at  Fox- 
boro,  Mass.,  April  1854-1867.  Was  installed  at  Middlebury, 
Mass.,  1867-1869  ;  at  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  in  1869.  Was  acting 
pastor  at  La  Crosse,  Wis.,  in  1872;  and  in  1881  was  at 
Atlanta,  Ga.  In  1883  he  became  acting  pastor  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church  at  Paxton,  111.,  where  he  still  remains. 
He  married  Miss  Frances  W.  Parhhnrst  of  Milford,  Mass. 

Rev.  Augustus  Hart  Cariier^  D.D. —  Born  March,  1832.  He 
was  graduated  at  Yale  College,  1851.  Taught  in  Monson 
Academy,  Mass.,  one  year.  Graduated  at  the  Andover  The- 
ological Seminary  in  1855.  He  was  settled  successively  at 
Korth  East,  Pa.,  Auburndale,  Mass.,  Erie,  Pa.,  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  and  Indianapolis,  Ind.  He  spent  part  of  1885-6  in 
Germany. 

The  family  name  was  Bandell.  At  the  age  of  four  years 
he  was  adopted  by  his  uncle,  Mr.  Carrier  of  Bridgeport, 
Conn.,  whose  name  he  took.  He  married  Miss  Susan  Ban- 
dall  of  Norfolk,  Conn.  He  has  two  sons,  the  elder  a  gradu- 
ate of  Yale  College  and  Hartford  Theological  Seminary.  He 
has  preached  for  a  time  at  Bloomfield,  Ind.,  and  studied  one 
year  in  Germany.  The  younger  son  is  a  graduate  of  Harvard 
University,  and  also  spent  one  year  in  Germany. 

Rev.  Roger  Adams.— ^orn  1770,  died  1838.  "Was  a  man 
of  more  than  common  ability.  He  had  two  sons,  twin 
brothers,    who   entered    the    ministry.    Their    names    were 

Erastus  Homer,  minister  of ,  and  James  Watson,  D.D., 

minister  of  Syracuse." 


69 

Rev.  Abel  Lester  Barler. —  He  was  graduated  from  Amlierst 
Collcii-e  in  1831.  He  studied  Tlieoloa-y  with  Rev.  Allen 
McLean  of  Simsburj,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the 
Hartford  North  Association,  June  4,  1833,  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Amasa  Woodford  of  Avon,  Conn.  He  went 
West,  and  soon  after  became  a  Baptist  minister.  Returned 
East,  and  probably  preached  for  a  time  for  a  Baptist  Church 
in  Avon,  and  in  Wallingford,  Conn.,  and  at  the  latter  place 
died. 

Bev.  Rollin  S.  Stone. —  He  was  the  son  of  William  Stone,  a 
merchant  in  Canton  Street.  He  studied  in  the  schools  of 
Canton.  Became  a  Congregational  minister.  Was  settled 
for  a  time  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  is  now  pastor  of  a  Con- 
gregational Church  in  Chatham,  N.  J. 

Rev.  Amos  Levereit  Spencer. —  He  was  born  October  1-1,  1799. 
He  studied  theology  for  a  time  with  Rev.  Allen  McLean  of 
Simsbury.  He  became  a  local  Methodist  preacher  in  Ohio, 
and  died  at  Bootstown,  Ohio,  September  19,  1845. 

Rev.  Roma  Barnes. —  He  was  not  born  in  Canton,  but  while 
living  here  as  a  A^outh  was  converted  in  the  revival  of  1821, 
under  Rev.  Mr.  Hallock.  He  preached  for  a  time  in  Ohio, 
and  died  young.  He  is  described  as  a  man  of  good  ability, 
and  an  earnest  and  convincing  preacher. 

Rev.  Selah  Merrill,  D.D.,  LL.D.  —  Was  born  in  Canton, 
Conn.,  May  2d,  1837.  His  father  died  before  Selah  was  fifteen 
years  of  age,  and  for  two  years  he  labored  on  the  farm, 
endeavoring  as  far  as  possible  to  fill  his  father's  place,  but  his 
natural  taste  was  for  study,  and  in  1854  his  mother  sold  the 
farm  (which  had  never  been  out  of  the  name  of  Merrill  since 
it  was  bought  of  the  Indians)  and  moved  to  Westfield,  Mass., 
that  she  might  give  her  chiklren  better  advantages  for  educa- 
tion. Here  Selah  attended  the  academy,  working  part  of 
the  time  in  a  grocery  store.  He  finished  his  preparation  for 
college  at  Easthampton,  and  entered  Yale  in  the  autumn  of 
1858.  After  one  year  of  study,  during  which  time  he  took 
the  first  prize  for  original  declamation,  he  becanie  impatient 


70 

at  the  length  of  time  devoted  to  tlie  classics,  and  leaving  the 
college  coarse,  entered  tlie  Theological  Seminary  in  New 
Haven,  where  he  remained  three  years.  Soon  after  leaving 
the  Theological  Seminary,  he  was  appointed  chaplain  of  a 
Massachusetts  regiment  stationed  near  Vickshnrg,  Miss. 
He  was  ordained  by  the  Hampden  Association  at  Feeding 
Hills,  Mass,  He  preached  one  year  at  Chester,  Mass,,  two 
years  at  Le  Roy,  N.  Y.,  from  whence  he  was  called  to  take 
charge  of  the  Third  Congregational  Church  of  San  Francisco. 
He  went  thither  in  the  fall  of  '67,  intending  to  make  that  his 
future  home,  but  the  winter  of  '67-'C8,  was  an  unusually  wet 
one,  and  Mr,  Merrill  suffered  from  a  succession  of  attacks  of 
pneumonia  so  that  he  was  obliged  to  return  East  in  1868. 
In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  he  w^ent  to  Berlin,  Germany, 
for  the  study  of  Hebrew  and  German,  The  following  year 
he  spent  some  time  traveling  in  Palestine,  On  his  return 
to  America  he  supplied  for  some  time  the  pulpit  at  Salmon 
Falls,  N,  H,  During  the  absence  of  Prof,  Mead  in 
Europe,  Mr,  Merrill  supplied  his  place  in  the  department 
of  Hebrew  instruction  in  Andover  Theological  Seminary, 
About  this  time  he  also  made  a  clear,  complete,  and  careful 
account  of  the  Assyrian  treasures  in  America  —  the  slabs 
and  bricks  and  figures  large  and  small,  plain  and  inscribed, 
whole  and  broken,  in  the  different  college  museums  and 
libraries.  He  deciphered  and  translated  the  inscriptions  upon 
them,  and  the  result  of  these  labors  was  published  in  the 
Biblioiheca  Sacra  for  April,  1875,  and  attracted  considerable 
attention.  In  187-lr  he  was  appointed  Archaeologist  of  tlie 
American  Palestine  Exploration  Society,  and  sailed  from 
America  June  19,  1875,  arriving  at  Beirut,  the  headcpiarters 
of  the  expedition,  Aug,  9th,  Speaking  of  tliis  appointment. 
Rev,  Joseph  Cook  exclaimed,  "  Thank  God,  that  for  once  in 
a  life-time  the  right  man  has  got  into  the  right  place," 

During  the  years  1875-'77,  he  made  four  different  expedi- 
tions. The  journal  of  two  of  these  is  given  in  a  book  entitled 
"East  of  the  Jordan,"  published  by  Scribner,  in  1881,  On 
Thursday,  Dec,  23,  1875,  Mr,  Merrill  was  placed  in  cliarge 
of  the  exploration  work,  which  he  carried  on  until  the  sum- 


71 

mev  of  '77,  when  lie  returned  to  America,  but  was  retained 
by  tlic  society  for  some  time  to  write  reports  and  assist  Mi-. 
Merer  in  the  preparation  of  maps.  In  tlie  introduction  to 
"East  of  the  Jordan,"  Rev.  Roswell  D.  Hitclicock  says: 
"  The  autlior  of  this  book  has  done  consjiicuous  and  excellent 
service  in  the  field.  lie  was  no  ordinary  traveler.  As 
an  Archasologist  of  the  'Palestine  Exploration  Society,'  his 
op})ortnnities  were  exceptionally  good,  and  tlrese  opportuni- 
ties M'ere  well  improved.  Pie  showed  admirable  tact,  and 
had  rare  good  luck  in  dealing  with  the  Bedouins,  whose 
habits  he  studied  carefully,  and  among  whom  he  dwelt  as 
securely  as  at  Andover.  He  has  the  credit  of  several  impor- 
tant identifications.  Another  volume  written  by  Mr.  Merrill 
was  published  in  1881,  by  the  Congregational  Publishing 
Society  of  Boston,  entitled,  "  Galilee,  in  the  time  of  Christ."' 
Besides  various  contributions  to  the  Bihliotheca  Sacra,  Dr. 
Merrill  has  written  largely  for  the  London  Athenaeum,  the  j5os- 
ton  Advertiser,  Congregaiionalist,m\(\.  Watchman;  X\\e  New  York 
Independent,  and  Sem,i-  Weekly  Tribune,  the  New  Englander,  and 
the  Interncdional  Review,  and  has  recently  published  a  pamphlet 
on  the  "•  Probable  Site  of  Calvary."  In  1881,  Dr.  Merrill  was 
appointed  U.  S.  Consul  to  Jerusalem,  and  the  papers  were 
awaiting  the  President's  signature,  when  the  assassin's 
bullet  put  an  end  to  president  Garfield's  valuable  labors,  and 
eventually  to  his  life.  Thus  matters  were  delayed  until  the 
following  spring,  when  Dr.  Merrill  again  sailed  for  Palestine. 
His  term  of  office  there  has  been  one  of  general  satisfaction 
to  the  government  at  home,  to  the  traveling  public,  and  to 
the  authorities  at  Jerusalem.  Since  the  Democratic  admin- 
istration has  come  into  power  at  Washington,  a  successor  has 
been  appointed,  but  he  has  not  yet  reached  his  post,  so  that 
Dr.  Merrill  is  at  the  present  writing  still  in  Jerusalem.  In 
the  autumn  of  1878,  Dr.  Merrill  delivered  a  course  of  twelve 
lectures  before  the  Lowell  Institute,  Boston.  He  also  lectured 
frequently  in  other  towns  and  cities  during  1 878-80,  Dr.  Mer- 
rill has  been  three  times  married.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Fran- 
ces L.  Cooke  of  Chester,  Mass.,  to  whom  he  was  married,  March 
15,  1866.     She  lived  but  little  more  than  one  year,  and  died 


72 

in  child-bii'th.  September  16,  1868,  lie  married  Mrs.  Phila 
Wilkins  Fargo  of  Warsaw,  N.  Y.,  who  accompanied  him  to 
Berlin  to  perfect  herself  in  vocal  music.  While  there,  she 
took  cold  at  an  evening  entertainment  given  by  Minister 
Bancroft,  at  which  Bismarck  was  present.  This  cold  settled 
into  consumption,  and  she  came  home  and  died  at  Warsaw 
in  November,  1870.  April  27, 1875,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Adelaide  Brewster  Taylor  of  Andover,  Mass.,  the  seventh 
generation  in  direct  descent  from  Elder  Brewster.  Mrs. 
Merrill  is  now  with  her  husband  in  Palestine.  He  has  no 
children  living. 

Rev.  Clarence  H.  Barbour.  —  He  was  born  February,  1853, 
He  was  graduated  at  Amherst  College  in  1877,  and  at  the 
Hartford  Theological  Seminary  in  1880.  He  was  ordained 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Torringford,  Conn., 
June  17,  1880,  where  he  is  still  doing  successful  work.  He 
was  married  Sept.  29,  1880,  to  Miss  Minnie  Johnson  of 
Morris,  Conn. 


SKETCHES  OF  LAWYERS  BORN  IN  CANTON. 

Frederick  Brown.  —  Born  1769.  He  removed  to  Ohio,  and 
though  not  educated  as  a  lawyer,  he  became  judge  of  the  cir- 
cuit court  there.     He  died  in  18-lS. 

Jeremiah  H.  Halloch.  —  Son  of  Bev.  Jeremiah  Hallock, 
born  1790  ;  was  graduated  from  Williams  College  1809.  For 
some  time  he  was  judge  of  the  circuit  court  in  Ohio.  Other 
facts  of  his  life  are  referred  to  in  the  sketch  of  his  father.  He 
died  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  18-18. 

Jeremiah  Humphreys.  —  Son  of  Deacon  Alvin  Humphreys, 
was  born  February,  1806.  Was  a  member  of  Yale  College. 
Entered  upon  the  profession  of  law  1831  at  Nassau,  N.  Y. 
Married  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  August  31,  1829,  Hannah  Swart 
of  Foughkeepsie.  Went  to  Michigan  and  probably  resided 
in  Schoolcraft  in  that  State.  He  afterward  removed  with  his 
family  to  Fulton,  111.,  where  he  died  in  June,  1845, 

Randolph  Case.  —  He  was  born  August  21, 1809.     He  spent 


one  year  at  Amherst  College,  but  was  graduated  from  Trinity 
College,  Hartford,  Conn.  He  studied  law,  but  did  not  pur- 
sue it  as  a  profession.  He  was  for  some  years  principal  of  an 
academy  at  St.  Leonard,  Calvert  County,  Maryland.  He 
died  April  21,  1859. 

Hosea  Dayton  Humphrey.  —  Born  1809.  He  was  graduated 
at  Amherst  College,  1833.  Studied  law  for  two  years  with 
Henry  Starr  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio ;  settled  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession  at  Crawfordsville,  Ind.  Two  years  later  he  was 
elected  professor  of  mathematics  in  Wabash  College,  Craw- 
fordsville. He  continued  in  the  duties  of  his  chair  and  in  legal 
practice  until  his  death,  September  18,  181:5.  He  married 
Caroline  Starr  of  Warren,  Conn.,  September  23,  1835. 

Lucian  Barber.  — Was  graduated  at  Amherst  College,  1837. 
Settled  in  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  in  the  practice  of  law.  He 
represented  his  district  one  term  in  Congress.     Died  1880. 

Heman  Humphrey  Barbour.  —  Was  born  in  1820.  He  mar- 
ried (1)  Miss  Frances  E.  Merrill  of  Barkhamsted,  Conn.  He 
practiced  law  in  Columbus,  Ind.  He  was  elected  State  sen- 
ator for  three  years.  In  1846  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
Mexican  war,  but  his  regiment  never  went  into  active  ser- 
vice. He  held  a  commission  as  lieutenant.  In  1847  he  re- 
sumed the  practice  of  law  in  Columbus,  and  became  elder  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  teacher  of  a  Bil)le  class,  and  chor- 
ister. In  1850  he  removed  to  Hartford,  Conn.,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  live  until  his  death  in  1880.  He  wrote  a  book 
entitled  "  My  Wife  and  My  Mother."  Pie  married  (2)  Almira 
Barker  in  1865. 

Elizur  Lancel  Foote.  —  He  was  the  fifth  son  of  Deacon 
Lancel — was  born  in  1822,  and  died  at  Chicago  in  1868, 
He  fitted  for  College  at  AVilliston  Seminary,  Easthampton, 
Mass.,  and  graduated  at  St.  John's  College,  Annapolis,  Md.  — 
of  which  his  uncle,  Dr.  Hector  Ilumplireys,  was  then  Presi- 
dent —  with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class.  He  was  eminent 
as  a  scholar,  and  successful  as  a  teacher.  He  commenced  the 
stud}'  of  law,  which  on  account  of  ill-health  was  discontinued, 
and  his  attention  was  turned  to  active  business  for  a  time. 

10 


74 

He  established  a  classical  school  for  fittino:  yonns;  men  for 
College,  at  Orange,  N,  J.,  which  flourished  for  several  _years. 
At  tlie  time  of  his  death,  he  was  associated  with  his  brother  J. 
Howard  Foote  as  manager  of  his  Chicago  Branch  House. 

luenry  Stiles  Barbour. — Born  in  1822.  Married  Pamela  J. 
Bartholomew.  Studied  at  the  academies  in  Amherst  and 
Easthampton,  Mass.  He  read  law  with  Roger  H.  Mills, 
Esq.,  of  New  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  in  the  Yale  Law  School. 
He  practiced  law  in  Wolcottville,  Conn.,  was  judge  of  pro- 
bate, town  clerk  and  treasurer,  and  represented  the  town  two 
terms  in  the  Legislature,  1850  and  1865  ;  was  State  senator  in 
1870,  He  was  deacon  of  the  Cono-regational  Church  and 
Sabbath-school  teacher.  In  1870  he  removed  to  Hartford, 
Conn.,  and  practiced  law  with  his  brother  Henian,  where  he 
still  resides. 

Sylvester  Barbour.  —  Born  in  1831.  Attended  school  at 
Suffield,  Conn.,  and  at  Williston  Seminary,  Easthampton, 
Mass.  He  taught  school  in  Torrington  and  Goshen,  Conn. 
Studied  law  with  his  brother  Heman  in  Hartford  and  at  the 
Poughkeepsie  Law  School.  Practiced  law  at  New  Hartford 
and  at  Ansonia,  Conn,,  and  finally  removed  to  Hartford, 
Conn.,  where  he  still  resides.  He  married,  November,  1860, 
Amelia  F.  Collin, 

Seymour  H.  Case.  —  Born  in  North  Canton,  October  10, 
1816.  Studied  law  with  Hon.  Elisha  Phelps  of  Simsbury 
and  Hon.  Isaac  Toucey  of  Hartford.  Died  November  26, 
1872.     He  was  a  bachelor  and  a  man  of  wealth, 

Orrin  S.  Case.  —  Practiced  law  at  Collinsville,  Conn.,  went 
into  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War,  and  was  killed 
while  on  ])icket  duty. 

Uriah  Case.  —  He  was  born  March  17,  1828.  He  married 
Adeline  M.  Johnson,  January  1,  1852.  He  studied  at  the 
Literary  Institution  at  Suffield,  Conn.  Bead  law  at  Ply- 
mouth, Conn.,  with  Heman  H.  Barbour  of  Madison,  Ind.,  and 
began  practice  at  Plainville,  Conn.,  and  afterwards  located  in 
Hartford,  where  he  still  resides  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. 


75 

Willard  White.— Ke  was  born  :Mav  30,  1843.  He  fitted 
for  colle<z:e  at  Eastliain|)ton,  Mass.,  and  was  i;"raduated  at 
Amlierst  College  in  1872.  lie  studied  law  in  Boston  and 
began  practice  there  in  1875,  at  which  time  also  he  received 
the  degree  of  LL.B.  from  Boston  University.  Pie  has, 
however,  de-.'oted  himself  mostly  to  business  of  various  kinds, 
in  which  he  has  been  successful.  He  is  largely  interested  in 
the  oil  business  in  Pennsylvania.  He  resides  in  Boston, 
Mass. 

Wilhert  Warren  Perry.  —  He  was  born  December  20,  1851. 
He  was  fitted  for  college  at  the  Collins ville  and  Hartford 
High  Schools.  He  entered  Yale  College  in  18(57,  and  was 
graduated  in  1871,  the  valedictorian  of  his  class.  During  his 
college  course  he  won  the  Woolsey  scholarship,  the  Bristed 
scholarship,  and  one  of  the  Townsend  prizes  for  English  com- 
position. For  four  years  after  his  graduation  he  taught  as 
assistant  and  principal  in  a  classical  school  in  Morristown, 
New  Jerse3\  He  was  offered  a  tutorship  in  Yale,  but  de- 
clined, and  in  1875  he  entered  the  Columbia  Law  School  in 
New  York  and  graduated  in  1877.  He  was  soon  after  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  and  began  practice  in  Hartford,  Conn., 
where  he  still  resides.  He  has  been  assistant  States  Attorney 
was  a  member  of  the  commission  for  revising  tlie  judicial 
system  and  criminal  code  of  the  State,  and  has  held  several 
responsible  positions. 

William  Edgar  Simonds.  —  He  was  born  in  Collinsville  No- 
vember 24,  1842.  Graduated  from  Collinsville  High  School, 
from  the  State  Normal  School  in  18G0,  and  from  the  Yale 
Law  School  in  1865,  and  is  at  the  present  time  a  lecturer  in 
the  latter  on  Patent  Law.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the 
Union  army  ;  became  sergeant-major,  and  was  promoted  to 
lieutenant  for  bravery  at  the  battle  of  Irish  Bend,  La.,  April 
24,  1863.  He  has  twice  represented  the  town  of  Canton  in 
the  Legislature,  and  once  been  speaker  of  the  House.  He  is 
the  author  of  three  works  on  patent  law,  and  is  now  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  patent  law  in  Hartford,  but  his  residence  is 
in  Canton. 


76 

Clifford  Atwater. — He  was  born  November,  1858,  gradu- 
ated from  the  Collinsville  High  School  in  1879,  and  from 
Bates  College,  Lewiston,  Maine,  1883.  He  was  principal  of 
the  high  school  in  TariftVille,  Conn.,  and  afterwards  studied 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1885. 

Albert  Tiffany.  —  Son  of  Dr.  TiiFany.  He  took  his  pre- 
paratory course  in  the  Collinsville  High  School,  and  studied 
law  in  Hartford,  where  at  last  accounts  he  was  pi'acticing. 

Charles  N.  Codding.  —  He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  N.,  and 
was  o;i'aduated  at  Yale  College  in  1886,  and  is  now  studvinjr 
law  at  the  Columbia  Law  School  in  New  York. 

Frederick  M.  Mills.  —  He  was  educated  at  the  Collinsville 
High  School  and  entered  college,  but  did  not  graduate.  He 
studied  law  at  Hartford  and  New  York.  He  began  the  prac- 
tice of  law  in  Collinsville.  He  died  October  23,  1886,  aged 
twenty-seven  years. 


SKETCHES  OF  PHYSICIANS  BORN  IN  CANTON. 

Dudley  Humphrey. —  He  was  the  son  of  Deacon  Theophilus, 
born  Dec.  26,  1784.  He  married  Elizabeth  Humphreys, 
daughter  of  Col.  George.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr. 
Philander  Humphrey  of  Hartland,  Conn.,  and  practiced  a 
few  years  in  that  town,  and  also  for  a  time  in  Granville,  Mass. 
He  afterwards  removed  to  Orwell,  Penn.,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  April  26, 1826.  He  was  a  deacon  and  ruling 
elder  in  the  church,  and  highly  esteemed  as  a  man  and  as  a 
Christian. 

Erastus  HuTnphreys. —  He  was  born  May  17,  1785  ;  M^as  the 
son  of  Capt.  Asher,  He  manned  Anna  Landon  of  Canton. 
He  was  a  nephew  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Hallock.  He  studied 
medicine  with  Dr.  Solomon  Everest  and  at  the  Medical  School 
in  Hartford,  where  he  graduated  in  1808. 

For  two  years  he  was  associated  with  Dr.  Everest  in  prac- 
tice, and  afterward  removed  to  Marcellus,  New  York,  where 
he  at  once  took  a  prominent  position  in  his  profession.  He 
was  also  engaged  in  business,  became  clerk  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  society,  and  leader  of  the  choir. 


77 

In  1823  he  removed  to  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  l)ecaine  President  of 
the  Cayuga  County  Medical  Society,  and  surgeon  of  the 
Auburn  State  prison.  In  1840  lie  was  converted  to  the 
Homeopathic  system  of  medicine,  to  wliich  he  strongly  held 
for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  afterwards  resided  at  Syra- 
cuse, at  Utica,  and  New  York  city,  and  finally  returned  to 
Utica,  where  he  died,  March  9,  1848.  He  was  largely  instru- 
mental in  building  up  Homeopathy  in  Central  and  Western 
New  York.     He  left  a  brilliant  professional  record. 

Dr.  Solomon  Everest. — Was  a  native  of  Salisbury,  Conn. 
He  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Avon,  Conn.,  formerly 
a  part  of  Farmington,  and  removed  to  Canton  in  1796.  Here 
he  resided  till  his  death  in  1822.  He  married  Amelia  Everitt, 
of  Winchester,  Conn.,  May  15,  1782.  Pie  was  a  conscientious 
and  skillful  physician,  an  honored  citizen,  and  a  practical  and 
benevolent  Christian. 

The  following  incident  occurred  in  his  medical  practice: 
^'  He  was  called  to  see  a  young  girl  supposed  to  be  under  the 
influence  of  witchcraft.  When  he  reached  the  house  he  found 
her  lying  on  a  bed  in  great  consternation,  suffering  intensely. 
She  implored  the  doctor  for  liel}).  She  imagined  that  witches 
were  pinching  her  arms  and  limbs,  which  caused  her  to  cry 
out  in  agony,  and  visible  marks  of  pinches  appeared  on  her 
flesh.  The  doctor  told  her  that  witchcraft  was  a  common 
complaint,  and  he  could  cure  it.  There  were  two  ways,  either 
burning  or  drownino-  the  witches.  He  ordered  a  cistern  filled 
with  water,  and  the  patient  immersed  in  it  when  the  witches 
should  begin  their  attack.  This  was  done,  and  at  the  repeti- 
tion of  it  the  witches  began  to  withdraw.  When  the  doctor 
left  he  told  the  patient  that  if  the  water  did  not  cure  her,  he 
had  a  large  witch  iron,  which,  when  heated  red-hot,  would 
surely  effect  a  cure.  She  listened,  and  concluded  that  the 
remedy  was  worse  than  the  disease.  Two  days  after  he 
ordered  two  of  his  students  to  call  and  report  progress. 
They  returned,  saying  that  the  patient  was  well  and  peace 
restored  to  the  family." 

Dr.  Everest  left  by  will  about  S8,000,  the  income  to  be  ex- 
pended in  the  education  of  worthy  young  men  for  the  minis- 


78 

try.  This  fund  is  administered  by  the  Connecticut  Missionary 
Society,  PI  is  widow  left  $500  to  aid  the  needy  female  mem- 
bers of  the  church  in  Canton,  and  to  furnish  the  communion 
table. 

Orren  B.  Freeman. —  He  was  born  in  1796.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  in  Canton  and  at  Westfield  Academy, 
Mass.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Solomon  Everest  of 
Canton.  He  began  practice  in  Canton  ;  continued  it  for  about 
one  year  in  Wolcottville,  Conn. ;  returned  to  Canton  for  a 
short  time,  and  in  1847  moved  to  Sandusky,  Ohio,  where  lie 
remained  about  two  years,  and  then  returned  to  his  native 
town  and  settled  in  Collinsville,  where  he  died  Nov.  20, 1880, 
aged  84  years.  Pie  was  a  fine  example  of  a  gentleman  of 
the  old  school. 

Dayton  Spencer. —  He  was  born  Aug.  20, 1801.  He  studied 
medicine;  practiced  a  few  years  in  Deertield,  Mass.  He 
afterwards  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army,  and  died  in 
the  hospital  in  the  State  of  Ahibama,  Sept.  30,  1836. 

Israel  Lewis  Graham. —  He  studied  at  Amherst  Academy, 
then  took  a  medical  course  in  ISI^ew  York.  Pie  practiced  first 
in  Bristol,  Conn.,  then  moved  to  Hudson,  Western  Reserve, 
Ohio,  thence  to  Muscatine,  Iowa,  where  he  now  owns  a  drug 
store,  and  occasionally  practices  his  profession.  He  has  built 
for  himself  a  fine  residence, 

Luther  Lee. —  Studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Brown  of  Hart- 
ford, and  attended  lectures  in  New  York.  He  commenced 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  Boston,  Mass.,  where  he  is  now  a 
successful  physician. 

James  Weed. —  Son  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Weed.  Is  now  a 
dentist  in  Muscatine,  Iowa. 

Albert  R.  Adams. —  Son  of  Oliver  C.  Adams.  Born  Au- 
gust, 1848.  Received  his  medical  education  in  New  York; 
practiced  there  till  his  death  at  his  father's  house  in  Canton, 
November,  1884. 

Erastus  E.  Case. — Was  educated  at  Easthampton,  Mass., 
and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1872.     Studied  medicine  (Homeo- 


79 

patliy)  in  New  York,  and  began  to  practice  in  Rockville, 
Conn.     He  soon  settled  in  Hartford,  where  he  now  resides. 

Solomon  Forbes. —  He  removed  to  ]\Iilton,  Florida,  where  he 
practiced  medicine,  and  became  mayor  of  the  city. 

Willard  E.  Case. —  He  was  the  son  of  Erastus,  who  was  the 
son  of  Elisha.  He  resided  in  Auburn,  New  York,  practiced 
medicine  there,  and  has  died  since  1880. 

Ellsworth  E.  Colton. —  He  is  a  practicing  physician  near 
New  York  city. 

Miss  Ida  R.  Gridley. —  She  was  graduated  from  the  Collins- 
ville  High  School  in  1880,  and  from  Wesleyan  University, 
Middletown,  Conn.,  in  1885.  In  1885-6  she  taught  a  private, 
select  school  at  Canton  Center,  and  began  the  study  of  medi- 
cine with  Drs.  Eoberts  and  Abrams  of  Collinsville.  She  is 
now  further  prosecuting  her  studies  at  the  Woman's  Medical 
College  in  New  York  city. 


SKETCHES  OF  BUSINESS  MEN  BORN  IN  CANTON. 

Men  Prominent  in  Church  and  Town  Affairs,  who  Lived  and 
Died  in  Canton.  —  Young  Ladies  who  Received  a  Public 
Education  Abroad,  and  a  List  of  the  Soldiers  who  Served 
in  the  Union  Army. 

Deacon  John  Brown.  — Brother  of  Owen  Brown,  born  1767. 
A  noted  religious  Avorker.  His  memory  lives  yet  in  his  home. 
New  Hartford.     Died  1849. 

Owen  Brown.  —  Born  1771.  Father  of  John  Brown,  the 
martyr.  After  leaving  Canton,  he  lived  in  Torrington,  Conn., 
where  John  the  martyr  w^as  born,  then  moved  to  Ohio,  and 
was  one  of  the  chief  movers  in  building  up  Western  Reserve 
College.  After  a  tinie,  a  negro  applied  for  admission  to  the 
college.  On  the  refusal  of  the  trustees  to  admit  him,  Mr, 
Brown  withdrew  his  support,  and  soon  after  aided  in  building 
Oberlin  College.     He  died  in  1856. 

Reuben  Humphreys. — He  was  the  son  of  Oliver,  and  was 
born  September  2,  1757.  He  married  Anna,  daughter  of 
Capt.  Ezekiel  Humphrey.     He  was  in  the  War  of  the  Kevo- 


80 

lutioii  as  private,  captain,  major,  brigade  major,  and 
inspector  of  the  first  division  of  Connecticut  militia.  lie 
was  twice  a  representative  to  the  General  Assembly.  He 
was  elected  justiceof  the  peace,  and  superintendent  of  Newgate 
at  Simsbury,  the  first  State  prison  in  Connecticut.  He  after- 
wards removed  to  Onondaga  Co.,  New  York,  and  in  1804  was 
appointed  judge  of  the  county  by  Gov.  Morgan  Lewis.  In  1807 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress  and  served  one  term  of 
two  years.  From  1811  to  1815,  he  was  four  times  elected  to 
the  Senate  of  the  State  of  New  York.  He  is  said  to  have 
been  a  portly  man,  weighing  at  his  maximum,  two  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds.  Several  of  his  children  were  like  him  in 
this  respect.  His  wife  was  remarkable  for  her  executive 
ability.  She  managed  the  household  and  farm,  while  he 
managed  the  outside  world.  On  a  certain  occasion,  when 
lamenting  his  large  family  of  twelve  children,  his  grand- 
mother, then  nearly  one  hundred  years  old,  said  :  "  Wliy 
Reuben,  children  are  a  blessing."  "Yes,"  he  replied,  "so  is 
snow,  but  who  wants  it  twelve  feet  deep." 

Allen  Humphrey.  —  He  was  born  in  1777,  son  of  Capt. 
Elijah.  He  married  Polly,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Bidwell  of 
Simsbury.  In  1811,  he  removed  to  Claridon,  Ohio,  making 
the  journey  with  two  yoke  of  oxen  and  a  canvas-covered 
wagon.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  commanded  the  post 
at  Cleveland  at  the  time  of  Gen.  Hull's  surrender  at  Detroit, 
He  died  at  Claridon,  December  22,  1825. 

Riverius  Bidwell.  —  He  was  born  in  1785.  He  went  to 
Gustavus,  Ohio,  in  1811.  He  built  flouring  mills  at  San- 
dusky, and  represented  his  town  in  the  Ohio  legislature.  He 
has  recently  deceased. 

Oad  Humphreys. —  He  was  born,  1786  ;  son  of  Hon.  Reuben. 
He  married  Marj^  S.,  daughter  of  Sylvester  Larned  of  Pitts- 
field,  Mass.  In  1808,  he  was  appointed  first  lieutenant  of 
United  States  Infantry,  became  captain,  was  M^ounded  in  the 
capture  of  York,  Ui)per  Canada  in  1813,  and  became  major 
in  1814.  He  was  afterwards  appointed  lieutenant-colonel. 
He   was  appointed    United    States   agent   to   the    Seminole 


81 

Indians  in  Florida.  He  sabsequentlj  removed  to  St.  Augus- 
tine, Fla.,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  August  31,  1859. 
Decius  Humphreys.  —  He  was  born  April  19,  1789,  son  of 
Col.  George.  He  married  January  1,  1809,  Laura,  daughter 
of  Ezra  Adams,  Esq.,  of  North  Canton.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  manufacturer.  He  was  lieutenant  of  a  regiment  of 
artillery  that  was  stationed  at  New  London  in  1813.  He 
was  afterward  elected  major,  lieutentant-colonel,  and  colonel. 
He  was  offered  the  position  of  brigadier-general,  but  declined. 
In  1826,  he  removed  to  North  Canton,  was  elected  justice  of 
the  peace  in  1830,  holding  that  position  until  the  town  of 
Canton  was  incorporated  in  1806.  In  1842,  he  removed  to 
Huron,  Ohio,  and  in  1853  to  Muscatine,  Iowa,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  his  death,  June  14,  1878,  in  his  90th 
year. 

May  Humphreys.  —  He  was  born  July  15,  1792,  son  of 
Hon.  Reuben.  He  married  Nov.  4,  1829,  May  Anne,  daugh- 
ter of  George  W.  Hoppin  of  Providence,  R.  I.  He  resided 
successively  in  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  and  New  York  city. 
He  made  frequent  business  trips  to  the  West  India  Islands. 
He  was  the  manager  of  large  cotton  operations,  and  in  1837 
he  went  to  Liverpool  and  established  the  house  of  Humphreys 
&  Biddle.  He  died  in  a  good  old  age,  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him. 

General  Ansel  Humphreys. — Born  June  1,  1792.  It 
appears  that  he  spent  most  of  his  life  in  Muscatine,  Iowa, 
where  he  died  April  21,  1873.  His  life  was  one  of  great 
activity.  He  had  a  vigorous  constitution,  large  intellectual 
faculties,  high  moral  attributes,  indomitable  resolution,  and 
was  clearly  born  to  be  a  leader.  While  he  lived  in  Connecti- 
cut, he  was  brigadier-general  of  the  lirst  brigade  of  Connecti- 
cut militia,  and  retired  M-ith  the  rank  of  major-general. 
After  removing  to  Iowa,  he  was  deputy  sheriff,  sheriff,  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  U.  S.  Commissioner.  The  latter  position 
he  held  till  his  death.  He  was  widely  known  as  a  Mason, 
having  filled  the  highest  positions  in  that  order.  He  died  an 
11 


82 

old  man  full  of  years  and  honors,  and  his  deatli  was  "widely 
and  deeply  nionrned. 

Solon  Humphreys.  —  Son  of  Deciiis.  Born  October  27, 
1821.  He  M'as  educated  in  Wright's  Acadenij^  East  Hart- 
ford, and  spent  one  year  in  St,  John's  College,  Annapolis, 
Md.,  under  his  uncle,  Dr.  Hector  Humphreys.  His  life  has 
been  one  of  marked  success  in  the  business  world.  He  has 
held  man}'  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility.  Has  been  a 
noted  railway  manager  and  largely  interested  in  railways. 
He  has  been  vice-president  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
in  New  York,  and  at  one  time  its  treasurer.  He  is  a  man  of 
decided  religious  character,  having  been  warden  of  the  Trin- 
ity Protestant  Episcopal  Church  at  Bergen  Point,  N.  J., 
where  he  resides.  His  place  of  business  is  New  York  city, 
and  he  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  E.  D.  Morgan  &,  Co,  He 
is  a  man  of  great  wealth. 

Renhen  Humphreys.  —  He  was  the  son  of  Hon.  Reuben, 
He  mari'ied  Diantha,  daughter  of  Col,  Peter  Lawrence  of 
Marcelhis,  N.  Y,  He  enlisted  in  the  regular  army,  at 
Buffalo  in  1813,  and  served  through  the  war.  He  was 
appointed  second  lieutenant  of  infantr}-,  and  captain.  He 
was  stationed  in  the  South  at  Mobile  Point,  and  died  there 
in  1822,  while  in  command  of  his  post. 

Loyal  Wilcox.  —  He  was  born  in  1800.  He  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  and  in  Madison,  Ind. 
He  then  removed  to  Hartford,  Conn,,  where  he  continued 
his  business.  He  became  an  active  member  of  the  Center 
Church,  and  was  deacon  in  the  same  for  many  years.  He 
was  successful  in  business,  and  benevolent.  He  gave  $1,000 
towards  the  erection  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
North  Canton,  and  $1,000  as  a  permanent  fund.  He  is 
described  by  one  who  knew  him  as  a  man  "  upright  and 
honorable  in  all  his  business  transactions,  genial  and  courte- 
ous in  his  social  relations,  a  man  of  strict  integrit}^,  and 
entitled  to  the  fullest  confidence  and  respect  of  his  fellow- 
citizens.     He  died  in  Hartford. 

Elinlia   Huron  Humphrey. —  He  was  born   June  30,  1805. 


83 

He  removed  to  Ohio.  In  early  lite  he  was  a  saddler  and 
harness-maker,  bnt  afterwards  became  a  lawyer,  and  practiced 
in  Ohio.  He  resided  for  several  years  in  Claridon,  Ohio,  and 
removed  to  Blissfield,  Mich.,  where  he  was  still  livino'  in 
1884.  He  served  in  the  war  for  the  Union,  was  appointed 
colonel,  was  engaged  in  the  defense  of  Frankfort  and  Lexing- 
ton, Ky.,  and  in  the  pnrsnit  of  the  guerilla  John  Morgan. 
He  was  the  leader  of  the  scouting  party  that  captured  the 
well-known  rebel  Scott. 

Jarvis  P.  Case. —  He  was  born  in  North  Canton,  June  9, 
1805.  Son  of  Philetus  and  Lucinda  Case.  At  the  ao-e  of 
twenty-four  he  removed  to  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  and  became 
agent  for  the  sale  of  clocks,  and  was  also  a  large  farmer. 
The  following  is  given  as  a  true  picture  of  the  man:  "Mr. 
Case  has  been  successful  in  business  relations;  but  he  will 
be  known  by  future  generations  and  remembered  b}'  his 
neighbors,  not  by  the  number  of  acres  he  has  owned,  but  by 
the  influence  of  an  upright.  Christian  life.  He  became  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  1840.  He 
has  been  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  useful  men  in  the 
town.  For  more  than  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  deacon 
of  the  church,  and  clerk  and  trustee  for  a  great  manj^  years." 

Newton  Case. —  He  was  born  in  1807;  the  son  of  Deacon 
Jesse  Case.  He  labored  upon  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  j^ears  of  age;  then  went  to  Hartford  and  worked  for  his 
board  in  a  copper-plate  printing  establishment.  He  soon 
began  to  receive  wages,  continuing  in  the  same  business. 
In  1830  he  and  Mr.  E.  II.  Wilcox  formed  a  copartnership, 
which  existed  little  more  than  one  year.  He  then  man- 
aged the  same  business  alone  for  two  years,  after  which 
Mr.  A.  D.  Waters  was  admitted  as  partner.  At  that 
time  almost  all  the  school  geographies  of  any  value  iu  the 
country  were  published  in  Hartford.  Mr.  Case  married 
Lemira  B.  Hurlbut  in  Decendjer,  1832.  In  1836  Mi-.  Case 
and  Mr.  E.  D.  Tilfany  purchased  of  J.  Hubbard  Wells,  his 
printing  office,  located  in  what  was  then  known  as  the  Mitchell 
building,  on  State   street.     Two  years  later  they  added,  by 


84 

purchase,  tlie  printing  office  of  Philemom  Canfield,  and  re- 
moved to  tlie  corner  of  Pearl  and  Trumbull  streets. 

The  years  1834-5  had  been  years  of  business  depression, 
but  in  the  year  following  business  revived  and  brought  pros- 
perity to  the  enterprise. 

In  1838  Mr.  Case  sold  his  interest  in  the  copper- plate 
printing  establishment  to  Mr.  Waters,  and  at  this  same  time 
purchased  Mr.  Waters'  interest  in  the  firm  of  Case,  Tiffany 
&  Co.  Soon  after  Mr.  Leander  C.  Burnham  was  admitted 
as  a  partner.  In  1840  tlie  company  purchased  the  stereotype 
plates  and  publishing  rights  of  the  "  Cottage  Bible,"  and  sold 
all  they  could  print. 

In  1848  Mr.  Burnham  died,  and  two  years  after  Mr. 
Edmund  Shattuck  became  manager  of  the  bindery,  but  at 
the  end  of  four  or  five  years  retired.  In  1853  Mr.  James 
Lockwood  and  Mr.  Albert  G.  Cooley  were  admitted  to  the 
firm.  In  1857  Mr.  Tifiany  and  Mr.  Cooley  both  retired,  and 
in  1858  Mr.  Leverett  Brainard  became  a  partner.  In  18T4, 
under  charter  from  the  Legislature,  the  new  company  was 
organized  under  the  name  of  ''  The  Case,  Lockwood  & 
Brainard  Company " ;  this  is  still  (1886)  the  name  of  the 
house. 

About  twenty  years  ago  Mr.  Case  gave  up  active  con- 
nection with  the  company,  in  the  hope  of  finding  the  rest 
his  busy  life  had  earned ;  but  other  business  cares  have  come 
upon  him,  and  at  the  age  of  nearly  eighty  years  he  is  still 
active  and  vigorous. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Case  has  been  an  influential  and 
valued  member  of  the  Asylum  Hill  Congi-egational  Church. 
His  life  speaks  for  him.  He  is  widely  known  as  a  man  of 
open-handed,  Christian  benevolence. 

The  following  statement  of  his  connection  with  the  Hart- 
ford Theological  Seminary,  is  by  Dr.  William  Thompson : 

"It  is  now  thirty-one  years  since  Mr.  Kewton  Case  became 
a  trustee  of  Hartford  Theological  Seminary.  Of  the  lay 
members  of  the  Board  when  he  was  elected,  J.  B.  Hosmer, 
Pliny  Jewell,  Lucius  Barbour,  and  others,  have  passed  away. 
After  the   serainarv   was   removed  to  Hartford    twenty-one 


85 

years  ago,  he  served  for  a  considerable  period  as  a  member  of 
tlie  Prudential  Committee.  Between  the  annual  meetings  of 
the  Ti-nstees,  this  committee  is  not  nnfrequently  called  upon 
to  deal  with  questions  closely  connected  with  the  welfare  of 
the  seminary. 

"  AVhen  in  1878,  the  generous  gift  of  Mr,  James  B.  Hosmer 
enabled  the  Trustees  to  provide  satisfactor}'  accommodations 
for  the  institution,  Mr.  Case  was  appointed  on  the  building 
committee,  and  gave  assiduous  attention  to  all  the  details 
pertaining  to  the  erection  of  the  spacious  hall  on  Broad 
street.  To  him  and  his  associates,  the  friends  of  the  semi- 
nary are  deeply  indebted  for  their  gratuitous  and  faithful 
services. 

"For  aid  in  another  direction,  Mr.  Case  ranks  among  the 
chief  benefactors  of  the  institution.  During  its  early  years 
it  had  less  than  eight  thousand  volumes,  and  many  of  these 
were  of  little  value.  To  Mr.  Case  belongs  the  lasting  honor 
of  unstinted  outlays  for  the  benefit  of  the  library.  His  dona- 
tions for  this  object  amount  to  thirty  thousand  dollars.  The 
library  now  contains  more  than  forty  thousand  volumes.  In 
the  judgment  of  eminent  scholars  it  is  one  of  the  foremost 
collections  of  theological  works  in  the  country. 

"  During  the  ten  years  that  Mr.  Case  held  the  office  of  treas- 
urer, investments  of  this  general  fund,  and  of  scholarships  for 
indigent  students  were  so  judiciously  made  that  no  losses 
occurred,  and  the  shrinkage  of  interest  was  less  than  what 
many  loans  suffered  during  the  same  period.  If  a  few 
prosperous  friends  of  theological  learning  would  cooperate 
with  Mr.  Case,  important  professorships  in  Hartford  Theo- 
logical Seminary  would  not  long  remain  unendowed,  nor 
would  the  wants  of  needy  students  be  inadequately  supplied," 

David  Hmni^lirey.  —  He  was  born  April  24,  1813,  son  of 
Col.  Decius.  He  entered  Amherst  College,  but  graduated 
at  Union  College,  Schenectady.  He  studied  law,  but  had 
not  commenced  practice  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr.  M.  S. 
Dyer  of  Canton,  writes  of  him  as  follows:  "  Tiie  aptitude  of 
the  Humphreys  to  learn  and  retain  was  illustrated  in  David, 


86 

son  of  Decius,  and  l)rotlier  of  Solon  Pliimphrey  of  New  York. 
Wliile  David  was  at  school  at  Amherst,  he  wrote  a  short-poem 
which  he  showed  me.  I  read  it  over  twice,  and  the  next  time 
I  saw  him,  I  repeated  the  whole  of  it  to  him.  lie  remarked 
that  he  wished  he  conld  remember  as  well.  I  told  him  he  conld 
if  he  would  try.  After  two  or  three  months  he  called  on  me 
and  said  that  he  had  followed  ray  instructions  and  could 
repeat  anything  that  he  carefull}^  studied,  telling  me  to  write 
one  hundred  names  of  any  persons  or  places  and  he  would 
read  them  and  repeat  them  next  day.  I  wrote  the  one 
liundred  names  of  any  that  I  could  think  of,  mostly  ancient, 
some  modern.  He  read  them  over  twice,  handed  the  paper 
back  to  me,  and  the  next  day  or  two  after,  called  and 
repeated  them  l)ackward  and  forward  without  a  mistake.  I 
never  saw  any  other  person  that  could  do  it." 

George  Hurriphreys  Foote.  —  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Deacon 
Lancel.  Born  1814,  and  died,  1842,  in  Ohio.  Though  not  a 
college  graduate,  he  was  a  scholarly  man,  a  ripe  thinker,  a 
profound  mathematician,  and  a  successful  teacher.  He  was 
the  author  of  a  Juvenile  Primer,  which  was  the  earliest  pub- 
lication of  the  kind  introducing  "Object  Teaching";  and  it 
is  believed  that  this  was  one  of  the  first  developments  in  this 
country  of  the  Kindergarten  system.  He  was  a  noted  musi(-ian 
and  flutist.  He  was  engaged  at  the  time  of  his  early  death  on 
a  work  of  great  practical  value  to  architects  and  builders, 
Avhich  was  never  completed. 

Wolcott  J.  Humphrey.  —  He  was  born  November  11,  1817, 
one  year  before  his  father,  Theophilus,  the  son  of  Dea. 
Theophilus,  moved  from  Canton  to  Sheldon,  New  York. 
He  married  Amanda,  daughter  of  Major  William  S.  Martin- 
dale  of  Dorset,  Vt.  He  has  been  farmer,  tanner,  and  mer- 
chant ;  also  President  of  the  National  Bank  of  Warsaw,  N.  Y., 
since  1868.  When  twent}'  years  old,  he  was  elected 
Colonel  in  the  New  York  State  militia.  He  has  held  various 
offices:  Census  Marshal,  and  Postmaster;  was  twice  elected 
to  the  New  York  Assembly  ;  Avas  chairman  of  the  Commit- 
tee on   Railroads,  and  reported  the    Central   Railroad  bill ;. 


87 

was  selected  to  take  cliarge  of  the  Pi-oliibitory  Liquor  Law, 
and  made  an  able  speech  in  its  behalf.  In  1855  lie  removed 
to  Bloomington,  111.,  where  he  was  the  means  of  securing  the 
return  of  Owen  Lovejov  to  Congress,  against  Judge  Davies. 
lie  subsequently  resided  for  a  shoit  time  at  North  Java,  N.  Y., 
where  he  still  resides.  Since  taking  up  his  residence  in 
Warsaw,  he  has  served  two  terms  in  the  New  York  Senate, 
and  acted  on  several  important  committees.  He  is  said  to  be 
a  gentleman  of  fine  presence,  great  nervous  energj:,  warm 
friendships,  and  good  impulses. 

George  D.  Humphreys. —  He  was  born  Dec,  3,  1827,  son  of 
Col.  Decius.  He  early  removed  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he 
married  Sarah  F.Young,  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery 
business,  and  was  president  of  the  Mississippi  Glass  Co.  He 
had  great  natural  ingenuity,  and  developed  remarkable  poM'er 
as  a  musician.     He  died  Aug.  20,  1875. 

Edward  FJuhert  Foote.  —  He  Avas  the  sixth  son  of  Deacon 
Laneel.  Born  in  1827,  and  died  at  Bristol,  Conn.,  in  185'1:. 
He  developed  at  an  early  age  great  mechanical  ability,  with 
rare  inventive  genius.  At  the  time  of  death,  when  only 
twenty-seven  years  of  age,  he  had  already  filled  various  posi- 
tions in  the  highest  grade  in  his  profession  as  mechanical 
engineer.  He  had  great  taste  for  physics,  especially  in  chem- 
istr}'  and  electricity.  His  early  death  prevented  the  ])erfect- 
ing  of  several  im])ortant  inventions  in  Telegraphy  and  other 
developments  of  electricity  applied  to  mechanics. 

Jeremiah  Broivn. —  His  father  came  from  LjMne,  Ct»nn.,  to 
Canton.  Jeremiah  early  removed  to  Ilai'tford  and  engaged 
in  the  West  India  and  European  trade.  He  was  agent  for 
the  United  States  Bank  in  Hartford  when  he  died. 

Lucius  Barbour. —  He  removed  to  Hartford  and  became  a 
successful  business  man.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  Chris- 
tian character  and  liberality.  He  was  deacon  in  the  First 
Congregational  Church  for  many  years.  He  was  for  a  long 
time  a  valued  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Hart- 
ford Theological  Seminary,  and  in  his  will  gave  one  thousand 
dollars,  the  income  to  be  given  in  aid  of  needy  students. 


Tliomas  Wilcox. —  He  was  the  son  of  Jedediali,  and  was 
engao;ed  for  several  years  in  selling  clocks  in  the  Sonth.  lie 
afterwards  settled  and  carried  on  the  clock  bnsiness  in  Bristol, 
Conn.,  where  he  died.  He  was  prosperons,  and  highl)' 
esteemed  as  a  benevolent,  Christian  man. 

Merrill  J.  Mills. —  He  removed  to  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  was 
connected  with  a  stove  mannfactnring  company,  and  with 
the  far  trade.  He  was  agent  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company. 
He  became  mayor  of  the  city. 

Thomas  Dyer. —  He  went  Sonth  as  a  clock  peddler,  and  about 
18-1:2  he  moved  to  Chicago,  and  became  mayor  of  the  city. 

Alfred  A.  Bliss. —  He  removed  to  Ohio,  and  represented  his 
district  in  the  United  States  Congress. 

Harvey  Pike. —  He  is  still  living  —  October,  1886  —  in  Nel- 
son, Portage  Co.,  Ohio,  at  tlie  advanced  age  of  ninety-two 
years.  Although  born  in  Barkhamsted,  he  early  moved  to 
Canton,  and  in  181G,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Mr,  Hallock, 
he,  with  thirteen  others,  united  with  the  Congregational 
Church  on  confession  of  faith.  It  is  possible  that  he  is  the 
only  living  member  who  united  at  that  time.  He  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  war  of  1812. 

Ezehiel  Hosford. —  Brother  of  Deacon  Uriah.  After  leav- 
ino;  Canton  he  eno;ao;ed  in  the  mercantile  business  in  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  and  afterwards  went  into  private  banking 
business  in  New  York  city.  He  was  an  earnest  Christian 
man,  and  a  devoted  friend  of  the  church  in  Canton  Center. 
He  was  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath-school  in  Canton  for 
two  years. 

Imri  L.  Spencer. — 'He  removed  to  Bloomfield,  Conn.,  and 
afterwards  to  Waterbury.     He  was  a  successful  business  man. 

Charles  Mills. —  He  was  a  successful  merchant  in  New  Or- 
leans, and  died  there  of  yellow  fever  in  1857. 

Samuel  Forbes. —  He  is  a  brother  of  Solomon,  the  physician, 
and  at  this  time,  1886,  resides  in  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  is  mayor 
at  the  present  time  of  the  city. 

John  Howard  Fooie. —  He  was  born  Nov.  11,  1833,  the  son 


89 

of  Deacon  Lancel  Foote.  lie  resides  in  Brooklyn,  New  York. 
He  is  an  importer  and  manufacturer  of  musical  instruments 
in  New  York  and  in  Cliicai>'o.  ]\Ir.  Foote  has  heen  successful 
in  business,  and  lias  built  a  beautiful  summer  residence  in 
Canton,  on  a  part  of  the  ancestral  farm,  lie  is  a  substantial 
friend  of  the  Congregational  (Church  in  Canton  Center. 

Edward  M.  Mills. —  He  was  born  June  26, 1834.  He  fitted 
for  college  at  Williston  Seminary,  Eastliampton,  Mass.,  and 
was  graduated  from  Yale  College,  1858.  Since  leaving  col- 
lege he  has  been  engaged  in  business,  and  now  resides  in 
Northampton,  Mass, 

George  H.  Barher. —  He  is  secretary  of  the  Michigan  Stove 
Works. 

George  D.  CoUon,  and  his  brother,  Clifford  L.  Golton. —  They 
were  both  educated  at  the  Collinsville  High  School  and  for 
a  time  w^ere  members  of  Yale  College,  but  did  not  graduate. 

Richard  Case. —  Son  of  John  Case.  Graduated  at  Brown 
Universitj'  in  1880.  Since  1881  he  has  been  princi]>al  of  a 
graded  school  in  Red  Bank,  N.  J. 

Elmer  L.  Case. —  Graduated  from  Collinsville  High  School 
in  1881,  and  from  Brown  University  in  1885.  He  is  now 
teaching  in  a  graded  school  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 

Albert  Case. —  He  is  a  graduate  of  Yale  College. 

Arthur  J.  Goodman. —  F[e  is  a  graduate  of  the  School  of 
Technology  in  Boston.  He  is  a  rare  artist  in  painting  and 
drawing,  and  is  now  pursuing  his  art  studies  in  Paris. 

Nearly  all  the  following  persons  were  born  in  Canton,  and 
they  all  lived  and  died  there.  They  were  all  men  of  infiu- 
ence  in  the  church,  and  in  business  and  in  civil  life.  They 
have  left  to  their  descendants  the  legacy  of  their  Christian 
characters  and  useful  lives,  a  legacy  more  precious  than  lands 
and  gold : 

Gen.  Ezra  Adams,  George  Humphrey, 

Darius  Moses,  Fredei'ick  Plumphrey, 

Abiel  Brown,  Jasper  Bidwell, 

James  Humphrey,  Ephraim  Mills, 

12 


90 

Loin  Humphrey,  William  H.  Hallock, 

Titns  Case,  Elijah  Whiting, 

Calvin  Case,  Dr.  C,  G.  Griswold, 

Eufns  Tuller,  Daniel  Taylor, 
Jonathan  Barber, 

The  following  young  ladies  were  educated  at  Mt.  Holyoke 
Seminary : 

Lucinda  Taylor,  married  He  v.  L.  H.  Barber, 

Sophia  S.  Humphrey. 

Lydia  Amanda  Whiting, 

Amelia  Whiting. 

Malvina  K,  Case,  died  Oct.  5,  1879. 

Florence  I.  Barber,  married  Sherman  E.  Brown. 

Ella  E..  Gridley,  married  Rev,  J.  O.  Sherborne,  a  Methodist 
Episcopal  clergyman,  and  now  presiding  elder  in  Vermont, 
She  died  July  30,  1875. 

Emma  H.  Humphrey. 

Emorette  Case,  married  Dr.  Erastus  E.  Case. 

Catherine  H.  Barber. 

Amelia  Beckwith,  educated  in  part  at  Oberlin,  Ohio. 

Mary  G.  Holbrook.  She  graduated  at  Smith  College, 
N^orthampton,  Mass. 

Sarah  E.  Humphrey,  daughter  of  Loin  Harmon,  married 
Rev.  David  A.  Strong  of  East  Granby. 

Emily  Humphrey,  sister  of  Sarah  E.,  married  Rev.  Dr, 
Edward  W,  Bentley.  Dr.  Bentley  died  at  Canton  Center, 
Oct.  23,  1886,  aged  60  years. 

The  following  is  a  nearly  accurate  list  of  the  men  who 
served  in  the  Union  Army  during  the  Civil  war.  With  few 
exceptions,  they  were  born  in  Canton, 

Eugene.Adams,  Thomas  C.  Bidwell, 

Anson  W,  Bristol,  Frank  Brockway, 

Joseph  H,  Bidwell,  James  Brockway, 

Walter  S,  Brown,  Theron  Barber, 

Edward  E.  Baker,  Clayton  T,  Bidwell, 

James  R.  Brown,  Austin  Beckwith, 


91 


Yolney  R.  Bristol, 
Orrin  S.  Case, 
Hosea  E,  Case, 
Marshall  W.  Case, 
Charles  JI.  Champlin, 
Edmund  Carrier, 
George  H.  Calhoun, 
Lowell  M.  Case, 
Elmer  L.  Case, 
Charles  H.  Case, 
Harvej  U.  Chapin, 
Richard  M.  Calhoun, 
John  W.  Crane, 
Charles  L.  Crane, 
Edward  W.  Case, 
Ashbel  Carrier, 
Luther  Ciiilds, 
Elias  Case, 
Jasper  B.  Dushan, 
Marcus  Edgerton, 
John  Flaherty, 
Michael  Flaherty, 
James  Fletcher, 
Thomas  Fogherty, 
Edwin  French, 
Albert  French, 
Ephraim  L.  French, 
William  A.  German, 
Burton  Goddard, 
Nathan  F.  Hosford, 
William  A.  Hosford, 
John  D.  Harger, 
Amos  Hosford, 
Howard  F.  Hale, 


Emerson  A.  Hou":h, 
Lorenzo  W.  Hosford, 
Cyrus  P.  Harrington, 
James  H.  Hough, 
William  H.  Hawley, 
Richard  Harger, 
Solomon  H.  Hosmer, 
D wight  Ives, 
Robert  J.  Jones, 
Leroy  W.  Jones, 
Benjamin  F.  Jones, 
Joseph  F.  Lincoln, 
Enos  H.  Lane, 
Jeremiah  Latimer, 
Lauren  C.  Mills, 
Eldridge  Messenger, 
Archibald  L.  Mills, 
James  O.  Moses, 
Joseph  W.  Merrill, 
Emory  F.  Messenger, 
Obed  Messenger, 
Henry  N.  Mygatt, 
Correl  Messenger, 
W.  Edgar  Simonds, 
Albert  H.  Simonds, 
Henry  D,  Sexton, 
John  Turner, 
Isaac  H.  Tuller, 
James  Taylor, 
Henry  M.  Weed, 
WiUard  M.  White, 
Dryden  P.  White, 
Solomon  E.  Whitney. 


92 


CLOSING  STATEMENT. 

In  April,  1885,  Rev.  F.  Alvord,  wlio  had  supplied  the  pulpit 
in  1857  and  in  1SG5,  became  acting  pastor  of  the  church. 
Since  then  there  has  been  a  quiet  season  of  revival  interest, 
adding  twelve  to  the  church  on  confession,  and  a  Young 
People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  has  been  organized. 
Much  needed  repairs  have  also  been  made  upon  the  parsonage 
and  conference-room,  and  a  debt  of  $900  has  been  paid. 

Here  ends  the  history  of  the  Congregational  Church  in 
Canton  Center,  Conn.  We  regret  its  incompleteness.  We 
have  drawn  from  records  ding}'  and  bright,  from  Al)iel 
Brown's  Histor}'  of  West  Simsbury,  from  the  "Humphreys 
Family  in  America,"  and  from  the  memories  of  the  living  ; 
but  the  records  gape  and  the  memories  of  the  living  some- 
times slip.  Hence  the  imjjerfection  of  our  work.  In  many 
cases  it  has  been  impossible  to  obtain  the  desired  information. 
We  have  also  been  under  the  constraint  of  brevity,  partly  to 
save  expense  and  partly  to  ensure  the  reading  of  the  docu- 
ment. We  have  endeavored  to  be  impartial.  If  any  fail  to 
see  their  own  virtues  or  those  of  their  friends  applauded,  let 
them  tind  comfort  in  the  thought  that  they  are  in  a  goodly 
fellowship.  The  list  of  the  unnamed  outnumbers  by  far  that 
of  the  named. 

This  larger  list  is  equally  bright  with  the  virtues  of  juety 
and  patriotism.  Those  who  belong  to  it  have  only  to  wait  a 
little  for  a  worthier  mention  than  we  could  give  them,  in  the 
records  on  high. 

Beyond  the  officers  of  the  church  and  one  or  two  profes- 
sional men  living  in  town,  we  have  aimed  to  confine  ourselves 
to  the  mention  only  of  those  who  have  gone  out  from  the 
place  of  their  birth  and  wrought  their  life  work  elsewhere. 

From  this  brief  survey  it  will  be  seen  that,  in  respect  to 
character  and  general  influence  in  the  town  and  country,  this 
(;hurch  compares  favorably  with  any  other  church  in  rural 
New  England.  All  who  have  gone  forth,  as  well  as  those 
who  have  remained,  whether  mend)ers  of  this  church  or  not, 
alike  owe  a  larii-e   debt  of  2;ratitude   to  her  as  their  nursing 


93 

mother.  Correct  views  of  life  and  impulses  to  nobler  action 
on  the  part  of  the  yonng,  are  by  no  means  an  insii^n  ill  cant 
part  of  the  work  of  the  church.  She  teaches  all  how  to 
make  the  most  of  the  present  life  even,  as  no  other  institu- 
tion does  or  can. 

For  eighty-two  years,  or  until  1832,  when  the  church  at 
Collinsville  was  organized,  this  church  was  religiously  re- 
sponsible for  nearly  the  whole  of  West  Simsbury,  now  Can- 
ton. The  parish  was  large  in  territory  and  in  numbers  — 
few  in  New  England  larger.  On  Sabbath  morning,  from 
these  hills  and  this  valley  the  people  might  be  seen  gathering 
in  large  numbers  to  the  place  of  worship.  The  Sabbath  M-as 
the  great  day  of  the  week,  and  public  worship  Avas  the  great 
event.  The  church  took  the  lead  in  everything.  The  busi- 
ness of  the  town  was  transacted  in  the  ecclesiastical  meetings. 

But  times  have  changed.  The  old  parish  lines  once  co- 
incident with  those  of  the  town  have  been  contracted.  The 
numbers,  too,  have  been  greatly  reduced,  tlie  hills  and  remoter 
parts  of  the  town  making  a  much  smaller  contribution  to 
public  worship  at  the  Center  than  formerly,  Manj'  of  these 
hill  farms  have  passed  into  the  hands  of  those  who  hold  a 
difierent  faith  or  no  faith  at  all.  Some  have  been  entirely 
abandoned,  going  back  to  the  undisputed  reign  of  nature,  as 
when  the  first  settler  found  his  home  here.  It  is  no  uncom- 
mon tlinig  to  see  a  half-filled  cellar,  or  a  huge  stone  chinmey, 
or  a  tumbling  down  house  and  barn,  where  once  lived  a  large 
and  prosperous  family  of  the  genuine  New  England  stock. 
When  city  people  in  search  of  summer  homes  shall  liave  dis- 
covered the  rare  beauty  of  these  hills,  something  of  their 
former  glory  may  return,  Now  the  larger  proportion  of  the 
church-going  people  reside  in  the  valley  of  Cherry  Brook, 
north  and  south  of  the  Center, 

And  yet  the  old  church  ma}'  truly  be  said  to  be  still  in  a 
vigorous  condition.  While  it  has  lost  in  domain  and  in  num- 
bers, it  is  still  abundantly  able  to  support  the  institutions  of 
religion  and  to  give  liberally  to  the  various  benevolent  ob- 
jects of  the  day.  The  farmers,  and  especially  in  the  valley, 
are,  for  the  most  part,  thrifty  and  enterprising.     There  is  a 


94 

spirit  of  progress  among  tliein.  They  adopt  the  improved 
methods  of  fanning.  Fertilizers  and  machinery  are  in  gen- 
eral use.  The  land  is  of  more  than  average  fertility,  giving 
large  returns  for  the  labor  and  money  expended.  The  dairy 
business  is  becoming  more  and  more  important.  Many  of 
the  farmers  keep  blooded  stock,  the  Jerseys  taking  the  pref- 
erence. As  the  result,  a  few  years  ago  a  creamery  vv^as  estab- 
lished, which  is  doing  a  large  and  prosperous  business.  Its 
butter  commands  the  highest  market  price. 

All  things  considered,  therefore,  the  outlook  of  the  church 
of  the  future  in  Canton  is  promising.  The  present  is,  how- 
ever, a  critical  period  in  its  history.  It  is  easy  to  lose  the 
heritage  of  the  fathers.  This  may  come  to  pass  by  selling 
it  outright  as  Esau  did,  or  it  may  silently  slip  away  while  we 
sleep.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  spirit  of  the  fathers  is  in 
the  children,  —  the  spirit  of  love  and  of  sacrifice,  —  that  shall 
put  the  interests  of  the  Church  before  other  things,  so 
causing  the  present  and  coming  generations  to  stand  solidly 
and  unflinchingly  to  their  work,  then  this  Church  shall  con- 
tinue to  be  the  light  and  glory  of  the  town  in  the  future,  as 
it  has  been  in  the  past. 


POEM 


By  Miss  Ida  R.  Gridley. 

Within  this  valley,  years  ago, 
A  few  stern  pilgrims  found  their  homes. 

They  came  to  build,  and  plant,  and  sow. 
To  worship  God  beneath  unsculptured  domes. 

Embosomed  by  dense-wooded  hills. 

The  fertile  valley  silent  lay, 
No  noise  of  clattering  mills. 

Or  traveler  o'er  the  stony,  dusty  way. 

This  place  the  Indians'  hunting-ground 
Long  time  had  been.     In  showers  glanced 

The  sure-aimed  arrows,  slaying  'round 

Botli  bird  and  beast.     In  midnight  feasts  they  danced, 


95 


Or,  met  in  council  'neath  an  oak, 
They  smoked  the  pipe  of  peace.     But  tliey, 

O,  where  are  they  ?    Their  wreathing  smoke 
Is  now  a  flower  or  butterfly ;  their  clay 

Perchance,  the  blood  within  our  veins. 

This  we  have  learned  from  chiseled  stone 
And  arrows  broken.     Now  remains 

To  us  to  write  of  scenes  to  us  far  better  known. 

Our  fathers  came,  the  forests  rang 
With  woodman's  blows  and  crack  of  trees. 

The  Indians'  bows  no  longer  twang, 
Their  arrows  shoot  no  more  athwart  the  breeze. 

Before  their  household  altars  glowed. 
Our  fathers  kindled  God's  own  flame. 

They  chose  a  place  for  His  abode 

And  bowed  with  reverence  for  His  holy  name. 

Few  joys  and  many  sorrows  theirs. 

And  hence  their  deepest  thoughts  were  given 

To  Him  who  grants  man  rest  from  cares. 
And  all  their  hopes  were  anchored  fast  in  Heaven. 

From  far-off  hillside-homes  thej'  came, 
And  each  his  time  or  treasure  brought. 

With  constant  and  united  aim 
A  rude,  unpainted  meeting-house  they  wrought. 

No  fire  on  winter's  coldest  day 

To  warm  the  frozen  air;  no  shade 
To  drive  the  summer's  heat  away. 

Not  this  a  church  for  drowsy  sinners  made. 

They  braved  the  storm  God's  word  to  hear  ; 

They  braved  the  war  when  freedom  cried ; 
Some  nobly  fought,  and  some  left  drear 

At  home,  toiled  there  in  place  of  those  who  died. 

'Twas  soon  God  sent  a  noble  man 
This  church  to  guide.     He  came  in  youth. 

And  gathering  the  feeble  band  again. 

For  forty  years  he  taught  God's  love  and  truth. 


96 

God  gave  His  spirit,  blessed  the  Word, 

And  sinners  floclved  witliin  the  fold. 
The  call  for  wider  bounds  was  heard, 

And  to  a  larger  church  gave  place  the  old. 

This,  too,  a  cheerless  place,  and  cold, 

They  made;  for  men  had  then  forgot 
That  Beauty's  form  in  various  mold 

May  stimulate  or  God  ward  turn  our  thought. 

In  pulpit  towering  toward  the  sky 

The  pastor  stood  on  Sabbath  day, 
And  pointed  clear  the  path  on  high 

And  sin's  alluring,  soul-destroying  way. 

This  pastor  died,  another  came 

Who,  like  godly  Hallock,  loved  God  best. 
For  thirty  years,  nor  praise  nor  fame 

Sought  sainted  Burt,  but  toiled  till  Death  brought  peaceful  rest. 

O,  noble  men!     We  owe  to  you 

A  debt  of  deepest  gratitude; 
You  lived  to  God  and  duty  true. 

And  showed  no  mercenary  servitude. 

Each  year  the  weary  parents  fell  asleep. 

And  one  by  one  they've  passed  from  mind; 
The  silent  earth  their  dust  doth  keep. 

Their  children  now  in  distant  lands  we  find. 

Artistic  skill  has  beautified 

Our  church,  for  this  our  praise  is  given. 
For  all  w^hose  lives  have  glorified 

Our  church,  there  is  a  full  reward  in  Heaven. 


i-K:;,:'! 


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